Source: Amref Health Africa / BFA
You can always count us in for a night that combines fine Black art, helpful health education geared specifically towards melanated folk and more than a few fashionable individuals rubbing shoulders with one another over complimentary libations.
Thankfully, that was the situation to a tee this past Saturday (May 4) in Brooklyn, New York for Amref Health Africa’s annual ArtBall – a decadent celebration of philanthropy through art, music and culture.
RELATED: Bélizaire And Beyond – 10 Historic Black Artworks Worth Knowing About
The 2024 ceremony proved to be an artistic haven in every sense of the phrase, from the Sotheby’s art auction featuring eye-grabbing contemporary African art to the night’s revered honoree in attendance, famed portrait painted Kehinde Wiley. He was this year’s recipient of the annual Rees Visionary Award named after Amref Health Africa’s late founder, Dr. Thomas Rees.
Here’s more information on what the organization says about choosing artist Kehinde Wiley as its 2024 Honoree:
“Every year ArtBall honors an artist we feel has changed the discourse around African and Black art with the Rees Visionary Award. This year, we will be honoring Kehinde Wiley and celebrating ‘Black Presence,’ aligning with his focus on reclaiming the presence of Black people: our royalty, our martyrs, and our everyday lives, in the world of fine art.
Kehinde Wiley is an African-American artist best known for his portraits that render people of color in the traditional settings of Old Master paintings. Wiley’s work brings art history face-to-face with contemporary culture, using the visual rhetoric of the heroic, the powerful, the majestic, and the sublime to celebrate Black and Brown people the artist has met throughout the world. Wiley’s portraits challenge and reorient art-historical narratives, awakening complex issues that many would prefer remain muted.”
As an added bonus, Wiley accepted the prestigious honor by announced how own $700,000 donation to Amref. The night was capped off by an astounding performance dedicated to ballroom culture, including a lively emcee, vogue stars and dancers of all backgrounds presented by the talented dance collective Les Ballet Afrik.
See all the art from the auction in detail by heading to Sotheby’s, get more info on the work being done at Amref Health Africa by click here and keep scrolling to see some of our favorite looks, artists and moments from ArtBall 2024 below:
ArtBall 2024: A Night In Brooklyn Honoring Kehinde Wiley, Black Art And Health Awareness was originally published on blackamericaweb.com
1. Akeem Duncan and Lewinate Havette attend ArtBall 2024
Source:BFA
Amref Health Africa Presents ArtBall 2024
May, 4, 2024
INDUSTRIA – Brooklyn, NY
ArtBall 2024: A Night In Brooklyn Honoring Kehinde Wiley, Black Art And Health Awareness was originally published on blackamericaweb.com
2. “Welcome” by Audrey Lyall
Source:BFA
Amref Health Africa Presents ArtBall 2024
May, 4, 2024
INDUSTRIA – Brooklyn, NY
ArtBall 2024: A Night In Brooklyn Honoring Kehinde Wiley, Black Art And Health Awareness was originally published on blackamericaweb.com
3. Bakare Mubarak attends ArtBall 2024
Source:BFA
Amref Health Africa Presents ArtBall 2024
May, 4, 2024
INDUSTRIA – Brooklyn, NY
ArtBall 2024: A Night In Brooklyn Honoring Kehinde Wiley, Black Art And Health Awareness was originally published on blackamericaweb.com
4. Cierra Britton attends ArtBall 2024
Source:BFA
Amref Health Africa Presents ArtBall 2024
May, 4, 2024
INDUSTRIA – Brooklyn, NY
ArtBall 2024: A Night In Brooklyn Honoring Kehinde Wiley, Black Art And Health Awareness was originally published on blackamericaweb.com
5. Dapper Lou and Brash attend ArtBall 2024
Source:BFA
Amref Health Africa Presents ArtBall 2024
May, 4, 2024
INDUSTRIA – Brooklyn, NY
ArtBall 2024: A Night In Brooklyn Honoring Kehinde Wiley, Black Art And Health Awareness was originally published on blackamericaweb.com
6. “Conflict Minerals (Child of the Motherland, DRC)” by Ferguson Amo
Source:BFA
Amref Health Africa Presents ArtBall 2024
May, 4, 2024
INDUSTRIA – Brooklyn, NY
ArtBall 2024: A Night In Brooklyn Honoring Kehinde Wiley, Black Art And Health Awareness was originally published on blackamericaweb.com
7. “Delightful” by Genevieve Gaignard
Source:BFA
Amref Health Africa Presents ArtBall 2024
May, 4, 2024
INDUSTRIA – Brooklyn, NY
ArtBall 2024: A Night In Brooklyn Honoring Kehinde Wiley, Black Art And Health Awareness was originally published on blackamericaweb.com
8. Khadijet Oseni and guests attend ArtBall 2024
Source:BFA
Amref Health Africa Presents ArtBall 2024
May, 4, 2024
INDUSTRIA – Brooklyn, NY
ArtBall 2024: A Night In Brooklyn Honoring Kehinde Wiley, Black Art And Health Awareness was originally published on blackamericaweb.com
9. Artist Megan Gabrielle Harris and guests attend ArtBall 2024
Source:BFA
Amref Health Africa Presents ArtBall 2024
May, 4, 2024
INDUSTRIA – Brooklyn, NY
ArtBall 2024: A Night In Brooklyn Honoring Kehinde Wiley, Black Art And Health Awareness was originally published on blackamericaweb.com
10. Beautiful attendees at ArtBall 2024
Source:BFA
Amref Health Africa Presents ArtBall 2024
May, 4, 2024
INDUSTRIA – Brooklyn, NY
ArtBall 2024: A Night In Brooklyn Honoring Kehinde Wiley, Black Art And Health Awareness was originally published on blackamericaweb.com
11. “All Lies Matter” by Hank Willis Thomas
Source:BFA
Amref Health Africa Presents ArtBall 2024
May, 4, 2024
INDUSTRIA – Brooklyn, NY
ArtBall 2024: A Night In Brooklyn Honoring Kehinde Wiley, Black Art And Health Awareness was originally published on blackamericaweb.com
12. Jungwon Kim, Isamar Gonzalez and Ashaka Givens attend ArtBall 2024
Source:BFA
Amref Health Africa Presents ArtBall 2024
May, 4, 2024
INDUSTRIA – Brooklyn, NY
ArtBall 2024: A Night In Brooklyn Honoring Kehinde Wiley, Black Art And Health Awareness was originally published on blackamericaweb.com
13. Black America Web’s very own Keenan “HIGz” Higgins attends ArtBall 2024
Source:BFA
Amref Health Africa Presents ArtBall 2024
May, 4, 2024
INDUSTRIA – Brooklyn, NY
ArtBall 2024: A Night In Brooklyn Honoring Kehinde Wiley, Black Art And Health Awareness was originally published on blackamericaweb.com
14. “Steph In Checkered Dress” by Khalif Tahir Thompson
Source:BFA
Amref Health Africa Presents ArtBall 2024
May, 4, 2024
INDUSTRIA – Brooklyn, NY
ArtBall 2024: A Night In Brooklyn Honoring Kehinde Wiley, Black Art And Health Awareness was originally published on blackamericaweb.com
15. Host Kimberly Pirtle at ArtBall 2024
Source:BFA
Amref Health Africa Presents ArtBall 2024
May, 4, 2024
INDUSTRIA – Brooklyn, NY
ArtBall 2024: A Night In Brooklyn Honoring Kehinde Wiley, Black Art And Health Awareness was originally published on blackamericaweb.com
16. “Bloom In Specked Green” by Layo Bright
Source:BFA
Amref Health Africa Presents ArtBall 2024
May, 4, 2024
INDUSTRIA – Brooklyn, NY
ArtBall 2024: A Night In Brooklyn Honoring Kehinde Wiley, Black Art And Health Awareness was originally published on blackamericaweb.com
17. Les Ballet Afrik performs at ArtBall 2024
Source:BFA
Amref Health Africa Presents ArtBall 2024
May, 4, 2024
INDUSTRIA – Brooklyn, NY
ArtBall 2024: A Night In Brooklyn Honoring Kehinde Wiley, Black Art And Health Awareness was originally published on blackamericaweb.com
18. A lesson in ballroom culture by Les Ballet Afrik at ArtBall 2024
Source:BFA
Amref Health Africa Presents ArtBall 2024
May, 4, 2024
INDUSTRIA – Brooklyn, NY
ArtBall 2024: A Night In Brooklyn Honoring Kehinde Wiley, Black Art And Health Awareness was originally published on blackamericaweb.com
19. “Shadow” by Lewinale Havette
Source:BFA
Amref Health Africa Presents ArtBall 2024
May, 4, 2024
INDUSTRIA – Brooklyn, NY
ArtBall 2024: A Night In Brooklyn Honoring Kehinde Wiley, Black Art And Health Awareness was originally published on blackamericaweb.com
20. Featured artist Lewinale Havette attends ArtBall 2024
Source:BFA
Amref Health Africa Presents ArtBall 2024
May, 4, 2024
INDUSTRIA – Brooklyn, NY
ArtBall 2024: A Night In Brooklyn Honoring Kehinde Wiley, Black Art And Health Awareness was originally published on blackamericaweb.com
21. Marc Lacey, Githinji Gitahi and honoree Kehinde Wiley attend ArtBall 2024
Source:BFA
Amref Health Africa Presents ArtBall 2024
May, 4, 2024
INDUSTRIA – Brooklyn, NY
ArtBall 2024: A Night In Brooklyn Honoring Kehinde Wiley, Black Art And Health Awareness was originally published on blackamericaweb.com
22. Michelle Ogleby, Siphiwe Muze, Toni Pringley and Mackenzie Harvey attend ArtBall 2024
Source:BFA
Amref Health Africa Presents ArtBall 2024
May, 4, 2024
INDUSTRIA – Brooklyn, NY
ArtBall 2024: A Night In Brooklyn Honoring Kehinde Wiley, Black Art And Health Awareness was originally published on blackamericaweb.com
23. “Ari” by Myles Loftin
Source:BFA
Amref Health Africa Presents ArtBall 2024
May, 4, 2024
INDUSTRIA – Brooklyn, NY
ArtBall 2024: A Night In Brooklyn Honoring Kehinde Wiley, Black Art And Health Awareness was originally published on blackamericaweb.com
24. Ola Dapo and Malik Roberts attend ArtBall 2024
Source:BFA
Amref Health Africa Presents ArtBall 2024
May, 4, 2024
INDUSTRIA – Brooklyn, NY
ArtBall 2024: A Night In Brooklyn Honoring Kehinde Wiley, Black Art And Health Awareness was originally published on blackamericaweb.com
25. “L’Eclosions” by Ousmane Ba
Source:BFA
Amref Health Africa Presents ArtBall 2024
May, 4, 2024
INDUSTRIA – Brooklyn, NY
ArtBall 2024: A Night In Brooklyn Honoring Kehinde Wiley, Black Art And Health Awareness was originally published on blackamericaweb.com
26. “X-Pression Series #1” by Satchel Lee
Source:BFA
Amref Health Africa Presents ArtBall 2024
May, 4, 2024
INDUSTRIA – Brooklyn, NY
ArtBall 2024: A Night In Brooklyn Honoring Kehinde Wiley, Black Art And Health Awareness was originally published on blackamericaweb.com
27. Storm Ascher, Alex Anderson, Roscoe B. Thicke III and guest attend ArtBall 2024
Source:BFA
Amref Health Africa Presents ArtBall 2024
May, 4, 2024
INDUSTRIA – Brooklyn, NY
ArtBall 2024: A Night In Brooklyn Honoring Kehinde Wiley, Black Art And Health Awareness was originally published on blackamericaweb.com
28. “Intlonipho yami ifana no Thando Iwami II” by Turiya Magadlela
Source:BFA
Amref Health Africa Presents ArtBall 2024
May, 4, 2024
INDUSTRIA – Brooklyn, NY
ArtBall 2024: A Night In Brooklyn Honoring Kehinde Wiley, Black Art And Health Awareness was originally published on blackamericaweb.com
