Ethiopian artist Julie Mehretu sets another record in the African art scene

Julie Mehretu, an Ethiopian artist based in the US, has once again set a new record for the highest sale price of an artwork by an African-born artist at auction. Her abstract painting Walkers With the Dawn and Morning was sold for $10.7 million at a Sotheby's auction in New York. The piece, which incorporates ink and acrylic on canvas, takes its name from a Langston Hughes poem from the 1920s. Mehretu, who moved to the US with her family from Ethiopia during a time of political unrest in 1977, has emerged as one of the leading figures in the rapidly expanding contemporary African art scene. Walkers With the Dawn and Morning was painted as part of a response to the impact of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans in 2005. The auction for the artwork attracted two bidders, driving the price up gradually until it reached $9.5 million, with additional fees taking the final cost to a record-breaking $10.7 million. Mehretu had previously held the record with a sale of $9.3 million just last month. Sotheby's described Walkers With the Dawn and Morning as encompassing all aspects of Mehretu's distinctive style, which includes architectural drawing, vibrant vectors, and sweeping calligraphy. This sale highlights the growing market and interest in contemporary African art, particularly in the abstract genre. The head of Sotheby's modern and contemporary African art department, Hannah O'Leary, commented that the market is evolving and becoming more discerning. In addition to this achievement, Mehretu was also selected to create BMW's next Art Car, with her work set to adorn a BMW vehicle participating in the 24 Hours of Le Mans race next year.