Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama has secured the top position on ArtReview’s Power 100 list for 2025, becoming the first person from the African continent to lead the influential ranking in its 24-year history. The 38-year-old artist’s ascent from 14th place in 2024 marks a watershed moment for contemporary African art on the global stage.
ArtReview’s annual list, compiled by an international panel of art world experts, recognizes individuals who have most shaped the direction and discourse of contemporary art over the past year. Mahama’s selection reflects not only his artistic practice but his role as what ArtReview calls “a creator of infrastructures that assist other artists in realising their visions”
Building Alternative Cultural Models
Known for monumental installations crafted from jute sacks originally used to transport cocoa beans from Ghana to global markets, Mahama has channeled proceeds from his commercial success into establishing cultural institutions in his hometown of Tamale in northern Ghana. These include the Savannah Centre for Contemporary Art, Red Clay Studio, and Nkrumah Volini—spaces that host residencies, workshops, student programs, and exhibitions.
Red Clay Studio alone hosts approximately 2,000 schoolchildren weekly for free educational workshops in robotics, solar energy, and other technical skills. The site also features repurposed Soviet-era planes and British colonial-era trains transformed into education spaces and libraries.
“As older models of museums and galleries struggle, the potential for new forms of support for and sharing of art are key issues for the present and near future,” ArtReview stated. The 2025 Power 100 list reflects this shift, with artists occupying six of the top 10 spots, many recognized for creating their own institutional frameworks.
Leading a Shift in Art World Dynamics
The recognition comes as traditional art institutions face mounting pressures. Museums in the United States have seen federal funding drop dramatically, with government support declining from 40 percent of income in 1998 to under 24 percent by 2010. A recent survey found 55 percent of U.S. museums currently receive fewer visitors than in 2019.
Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, chairperson of Qatar Museums, claimed second place on the list, jumping from 21st in 2024. Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi, director of Sharjah Art Foundation and last year’s top-ranked figure, holds third place. The strong showing by Gulf cultural leaders reflects what ArtReview describes as a shift in power centers, as “culture wars and austerity” affect traditional art hubs in the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
Other artists in the top 10 include Egyptian artist Wael Shawky, Singaporean filmmaker Ho Tzu Nyen, American painter Amy Sherald, and American artist Kerry James Marshall. Meanwhile, prominent gallerists saw their rankings fall, with Larry Gagosian dropping from 35th to 79th and David Zwirner declining from 38th to 67th.
Photo Credit: Bea Phi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
