Who Are the Art Critics of Today? Antwaun Sargent on Criticism and Cultural Change
What does it mean to be an art critic today, in a world where attention is shrinking and art is increasingly filtered through the scroll?Writer and curator Antwaun Sargent has spent the past 15 years championing and critically engaging Black artists, producing vital writing that has reshaped how contemporary art is understood and valued. In this episode, Sargent reflects on the shifting role of the art critic in a world shaped by algorithms, attention economies, and new global audiences. In conversation with Refiloe Mpakanyane, Sargent speaks candidly about the expansion of the critic’s role, the rise of new cultural voices outside institutions, the power and problem of visibility, and why the work of sustaining artistic ecosystems goes far beyond the market.In this episode, we discuss:How the role of the art critic has expanded beyond traditional mediaThe impact of social platforms on the way we experience and talk about artThe rise of new, trusted cultural voices outside institutional networksWhy visibility matters for artistic recognition and critical engagementThe evolution of Black representation in galleries and museums globallyThe difference between selling art and sustaining artistic practiceWhat it means to build ecosystems, not just audiencesHow collectors, curators and writers shape cultural legacyChapter 3 of the Latitudes Podcast explores Art Criticism in the Age of the Algorithm.This chapter brings together writers, critics, and art professionals to examine the evolving landscape of contemporary art criticism and its new means of communication. Art writers have long played a pivotal role in steering conversations within the art world, but as their platforms and methods of communication shift, so too does the depth and scope of their influence.Powered by iTOO ArtinsureSupported by Business and Arts South Africa (BASA)Co-curated by Art School AfricaHosted by Refiloe Mpakanyane
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Heba El Kayal: Speaking Across Mountains
On this episode of the Latitudes Podcast, Refiloe Mpakanyane is joined by Heba El Kayal. Heba is a curator, consultant, writer and researcher, originally from Cairo with networks in the Middle East, North Africa, The UK and the USA.With a Master's degree in Art History from Columbia University in New York, Heba is the former Chief Curatorial Consultant at the Norval Foundation in Cape Town and recently joined Strauss & Co's Advisory Board in 2024. She has held advisory roles to collectors, auction houses and art institutions in Beirut, Dubai, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the USA.In our conversation, we focus on how technological connectivity informs art writing and criticism; how identity can inform process and meaning-making. The conversation is underpinned by Heba's thoughtful account of her own journey into and through a dynamic African art landscape.Highlights Include:Her journey into art writing and the challenges of lack of documentationCurating the 2019 exhibition “Speaking Across Mountains”Identity, art and making meaning: how they intertwine and inform each otherReferenced exhibitions & institutions:The New Art Exchange: “The Work of Ibrahim Ahmed” by Heba El KayalHavana Biennal “Interview with Kurdish Art Exhibition Curator, Hebel Kayal.” An episode of the Kurdistan In America podcast“Speaking Across Mountains: Kurdish Artists in Dialogue” exhibition curated by Heba El Kayal at The Middle East InstituteThe Painted Protest: How politics destroyed contemporary art by Dean Kissick on Harper’s Bazaar“A round up of the 12th Investec Cape Town Art Fair”, A review by Nkgopoleng Moloi on ArtthrobChapter 3 (Art Criticism in the Age of the Algorithm) spans episodes 7-9 of Season 2 of the Latitudes Podcast. It brings together writers, critics, and art professionals to examine the evolving landscape of contemporary art criticism and its new means of communication. Art writers have long played a pivotal role in steering conversations within the art world, but as their platforms and methods of communication shift, so too does the depth and scope of their influence.Powered by iTOO ArtinsureSupported by Business and Arts South Africa (BASA)Co-curated by Art School AfricaHosted by Refiloe Mpakanyane
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Touria El Glaoui | On An Equitable Art World
In this episode of the Latitudes Podcast, Refiloe Mpakanyane talks to Moroccan born and raised Touria El Glaoui about the impact of her cultural work. As the founder of 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair, Touria is widely celebrated as a global cultural taste maker whose work has been important in championing African art on the global art scene. Beyond her work with 1-54, Touria has curated and co-organised exhibitions spotlighting the likes of the work of her father, celebrated Moroccan painter, Hassan El Glaoui. She serves on the Advisory Board of Christie's Education; she holds a seat at the Scholarly Advisory Committee of the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, and in 2023 she was awarded the Gold Medal in the Arts at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Touria’s persistence has taken her around the world and helped her build an art fair that straddles three continents. That dogged attitude is apparent in this conversation; along with an intellectually curious but passionate approach to her work - which is truly inspiring.Highlights Include:How to challenge the disparity in the valuation of African art.Same 1-54 but different locations: challenges and opportunities of programming for 3 different locations and continents.African artists responding to the structural needs of their local art scenes.Referenced exhibitions & institutions:Tate Modern’s Africa Acquisitions Committee Catalyst FundMACAAL (Museum of African Contemporary Art Al Maaden) in Marrakesh, MoroccoArtXLagosSão Paulo Biennale 2025 Chapter 2 (Connecting the Stories from the Continent) spans episodes 4-6 of Season 2 of the Latitudes Podcast, and is a regionally focused exploration of the intersections between local art scenes across the continent. Featuring insights from curators, art advisors, museum directors, and gallerists; this chapter examines curatorial themes, market positioning, and unique regional dynamics. Powered by iTOO ArtinsureSupported by Business and Arts South Africa (BASA)Co-curated by Art School AfricaHosted by Refiloe Mpakanyane
In this episode of the Latitudes Podcast, Refiloe Mpakanyane connects with Nairobi-based photographer Thandiwe Muriu. Thandiwe unpacks her knack for incorporating local wisdom into her art and letting it shine on the global art platforms. After walking us through the beginning of her artistic career (193 Gallery slid into her dm’s), the conversation gets into the depths and thoroughness of Thandiwe’s creative process; her hopes and ambitions for Kenya’s art scene; as well as the validation of having having her art aired by the UNESCO Art Collection. Thandiwe’s sunny and optimistic nature is on full display in this conversation and she ends the conversation with a touching message for her fellow artists.Highlights Include:Thandiwe’s artwork being acquired by the UNESCO Art CollectionThandiwe’s desire to have her work fully produced in Kenya - without having to print elsewhere.The challenges of travelling and staying connected to the global art sceneHow 193 Gallery slid into Thandiwe’s DM’s.Designing prints and getting into textiles Referenced exhibitions & institutions:Maison Longchamp X Thandiwe Muriu (Memories of the Future)The UNESCO Collection Strauss & Co’s collaboration with Art Auction East Africa193 GalleryChapter 2 (Connecting the Stories from the Continent) spans episodes 4-6 of Season 2 of the Latitudes Podcast, and is a regionally focused exploration of the intersections between local art scenes across the continent. Featuring insights from curators, art advisors, museum directors, and gallerists; this chapter examines curatorial themes, market positioning and unique regional dynamics. Powered by iTOO ArtinsureSupported by Business and Arts South Africa (BASA)Co-curated by Art School AfricaHosted by Refiloe Mpakanyane
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To Not Dream is To Die: The Philosophies of Ugoma Ebilah
In this episode of Latitudes Podcast Refiloe Mpakanyane is joined by Lagos based art curator, gallerist and cultural convener Ugoma Ebilah. In this conversation Ugoma talks us through the skills that have enabled her to stay at the forefront of shaping contemporary discourses in African art. Whether it was through representing artists and changing the artist-gallerist dynamic; founding BLOOM Art (a gallery and salon that has been instrumental in instigating dynamic curatorial interventions and programming that has attracted a new generation of art collectors and enthusiasts) or serving on the board of trustees for G.A.S Foundation: Ugoma is a cultural producer with a deep held belief in art’s potential to be a catalyst for structural renewal, ideological innovation and societal transformation. The conversation is the first episode in Chapter 2 of The Latitudes Podcast.Highlights Include:How Ugoma’s corporate finance skills have bolstered her creative arts and cultural work.Brokering her first sale by selling a Lemi Ghariokwu piece. He is also famously known creating iconic record covers for Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti.How to speak the language of the collector.Joining the Guest Artist Space Foundation’s board of trustees.Growing the continent’s pool of art collectors before the pool of artists outstrips them and looks to other territories for survival. Referenced exhibitions & institutions: Guest Artists Space (G.A.S.) Foundation a non-profit organisation established by Yinka Shonibare “A Tapestry of Contradictions and Convergence at the 2024 Lagos Biennial”, Artthrob feature by Sinazo Chiya(March 2024)The Art Basel and UBS Art Market Report 2025Chapter 2 (connecting the stories from the continent) spans episodes 4-6 of Season 2 of the Latitudes Podcast, and is a regionally focused exploration of the intersections between local art scenes across the continent. Featuring insights from curators, art advisors, museum directors, and gallerists; this chapter examines curatorial themes, market positioning, and unique regional dynamics. Powered by iTOO ArtinsureSupported by Business and Arts South Africa (BASA)Co-curated by Art School AfricaHosted by Refiloe Mpakanyane
Latitudes Podcast is the voice of art from Africa. Hosted by Refiloe Mpakanyane, the podcast explores new ways of accessing and thinking about the contemporary visual arts from Africa, while also seeking to build strong community and a robust archive of thought leadership. The podcast serves as both a resource and a platform for critical discourse, bridging regional perspectives and shaping the conversation about art from Africa and the diaspora. The Latitudes Podcast is sponsored by iTOO Artinsure and is brought to you by Latitudes Online, a digital marketplace for Art from Africa - curated by experts.
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