Overview
- ArtReview released its 24th Power 100 on December 4, elevating the Ghana-based artist from 14th last year to the top spot selected by a global expert panel.
- Mahama is cited for monumental installations made from repurposed textiles and for reinvesting sales into Tamale-based institutions including SCCA, Red Clay Studio and Nkrumah Volini.
- The top of the list underscores rising Gulf influence with Qatar Museums chair Sheikha Al-Mayassa at No. 2 and Sharjah Art Foundation’s Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi at No. 3, followed by Egyptian artist Wael Shawky at No. 4.
- Rounding out the top 10 are Ho Tzu Nyen (5), Amy Sherald (6), Kerry James Marshall (7), Saidiya Hartman (8), Forensic Architecture (9) and Wolfgang Tillmans (10).
- ArtReview’s analysis points to an art-economy realignment as many megagalleries drop in rank (e.g., Gagosian to 79, Zwirner to 67, Hauser & Wirth to 57) while patrons such as Bernard Arnault (56) and Miuccia Prada (32) gain influence through direct funding.