African Art Collection

This auction is LIVE IN PERSON with internet bidding for those who cannot attend-- you may bid now at pearsonauction.hibid.com

The African Art Portion of the Auction will begin at 2pm EST LIVE Auction with internet bidding

Additional Antique Section LIVE ONLY at 10am- Come for the whole day! Antiques are live only -no internet on those, but absentee and phone available on any lot for either section (there is another listing here on estatesales.net that shows pics for the Antique Section)

This artwork is part of a substantial and diverse African art collection originating from Atlanta, Georgia, assembled during a period of active cultural investment in African heritage and contemporary African artists.

The collection is believed to have been curated in connection with an African cultural exhibition and museum initiative operating in Atlanta from the late 1990s through the 2000s. During this time, a wide range of works—including paintings, mixed media reliefs, textiles, carvings, and metal sculptures—were acquired to showcase both established and emerging African artists.

Following the closure of the exhibition space, the collection was placed into long-term storage, where it remained largely untouched for years. In November 2023, after extended storage, the remaining holdings—estimated at over 1,500 pieces—were released and acquired at auction, marking the first time many of these works have been available to the public in decades.

The collection includes works by several notable and collectible artists, including:

Chief Zacheus Olowonunbi Oloruntoba (Chief ZO) – A highly regarded Nigerian artist whose works have appeared at major auction houses such as Bonhams, with realized prices reaching into the several-thousand-dollar range and beyond for significant pieces.

Fidel N. Oyiogu – A prolific and recognizable artist within this collection, known for expressive figurative works and large-scale compositions, with growing collector interest and strong decorative appeal.

Mbonu C. Emerem – A Nigerian artist noted for bold, dynamic compositions, with works that attract attention for their color and cultural narrative.

Additional regional and studio artists whose works reflect the breadth of late 20th-century African artistic production.

This range—from recognized names to skilled regional artists—offers collectors a rare opportunity to acquire works from a cohesive, previously curated collection rather than isolated secondary-market pieces.