Ethiopian artist Julie Mehretu sets new world record for highest sale of African artwork
![Ethiopian artist Julie Mehretu sets new world record for highest sale of African artwork Ethiopian artist Julie Mehretu sets new world record for highest sale of African artwork](https://publish.eastleighvoice.co.ke/mugera_lock/uploads/2023/11/julie-pix.jpg)
By Amina Wako |
Her 2008 piece, "Walkers With the Dawn and Morning," was auctioned at Sotheby's in New York for an impressive $10.7 million (Sh1.62 billion), surpassing her own record set just last month.
Julie Mehretu, an Ethiopian artist, on Wednesday set a new world record for the highest sale of an African artwork.
Her 2008 piece, "Walkers With the Dawn and Morning," was auctioned at Sotheby's in New York for an impressive $10.7 million (Sh1.62 billion), surpassing her own record set just last month.
The final cost, including fees, amounted to $9.5 million (Sh1.44 billion).
This achievement follows Mehretu's success at Sotheby's Hong Kong sale in October, where her 2001 diptych fetched $9.32 million, surpassing the previous record held by South African artist Marlene Dumas in 2008.
![](https://publish.eastleighvoice.co.ke/mugera_lock/uploads/2023/11/Artwork.jpg)
The record-breaking painting was created in response to the impact of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans, showcasing Mehretu's distinctive mark-making style, incorporating architectural drawing, vibrant vectors, and calligraphic sweeps.
Mehretu was born in Addis Ababa in 1970 and has become a prominent figure in the contemporary African art scene, emphasizing the growing interest in abstract works within this genre.
Reader comments
Follow Us and Stay Connected!
We'd love for you to join our community and stay updated with our latest stories and updates. Follow us on our social media channels and be part of the conversation!
Let's stay connected and keep the dialogue going!