Buying contemporary art in Dakar: where, how and shipping

To buy contemporary art in Dakar, you can go through a gallery, an artist's studio, an exhibition or a fair, as long as you check three things: the authenticity of the work (a certificate), the payment terms, and the shipping logistics if you are leaving the country. At ge'eza in Point E, works by artists from East and West Africa are for sale, with a certificate of authenticity and shipping available.

Where to look in Dakar

Dakar is one of the major art scenes of West Africa, with a tradition that goes back to the 1966 World Festival of Black Arts and a Biennale of contemporary African art that returns every two years. To buy, there are several entry points:

• Galleries: they present artists they follow and offer a professional framework (documentation, certificate, advice).
• Artist studios: visits are by appointment, and let you talk directly with the person who made the work.
• Exhibitions and openings: often the moment to discover an artist and to buy.
• The Biennale and its associated events: an occasional chance to see a lot of work in a short time. See our guide to the Dakar Biennale.

We suggest looking a lot before buying: visit two or three venues, compare worlds, and come back to the works that stay in your mind.

How to choose

Buy first what you enjoy living with. Beyond love at first sight, a few questions help frame your choice:

• Who is the artist, and how is their work presented? Ask for a CV or biography.
• What are the technique and support? Painting, sculpture, textile, drawing, photography: each has its own conservation needs.
• Is the work unique or an edition? For a photograph or print, ask about the edition size and the copy number.
• Where will you hang it? Measure the wall and think about the light.

Price: what to know

The price of a work depends on the artist, the size, the technique, the rarity and the place of sale. We do not give a general range, as it would be misleading: differences are large. Always ask for the price in writing, the currency, and what it includes (frame, plinth, packing, shipping). If the price is quoted in euros or F CFA, note the reference date for the exchange rate. Do not hesitate to ask questions: a serious gallerist gladly explains how a price is built.

The certificate of authenticity

The certificate of authenticity is the document confirming that the work is by the stated artist. It should mention the artist, title, year, technique and dimensions, and be signed. For an edition, it specifies the copy number. Keep it with the invoice: these documents matter for resale, insurance or leaving the country. At ge'eza, works are offered with a certificate of authenticity.

Shipping a work abroad

Many buyers are passing through or are expats. Shipping needs preparing in advance:

• Have the work packed by professionals, taking climate and transport into account.
• Ask for a shipping quote and transport insurance.
• Check the formalities for exporting artworks from Senegal and importing into your destination country: they vary, and are best confirmed with the authorities or the carrier.
• Keep the invoice and certificate, which are often requested by customs.

At ge'eza, shipping is possible: tell the team your destination country at the time of purchase so they can guide you.

Buying at ge'eza

The ge'eza villa, at 656 avenue Birago Diop in Point E, is a gallery as much as a restaurant. Paintings, sculptures and textiles hang in the living room and other rooms, and the works are for sale. The interest of this format is that you can look at art quietly, over a coffee or a meal, without pressure. See the gallery page and our overview of art galleries in Dakar. For a work as a gift, read also diplomatic gifts in African art.

For any question, message +221 78 660 07 07 on WhatsApp. The house is open Tuesday to Sunday, 8am to 10pm, and closed on Mondays.

After buying: care and hanging

Once the work is acquired, a few precautions prolong its life. Avoid direct sun and humidity, especially for textiles, papers and canvases. Dakar's climate, with sea air and the rainy season, calls for regular checks on the state of the work. Hang it at eye level, under soft lighting. Keep the certificate, the invoice and a few photos of the work in a file, physical and digital, for insurance.

If you do not know how to frame or install a piece, ask the gallery that sold it: it is often part of the relationship with the buyer.

Getting advice

You do not need to know contemporary art to buy. Describe to the gallery what you like, the space you have at home and your indicative budget: an attentive team will suggest suitable works. Take your time, come back to see the pieces at another time of day, and never buy under pressure.