Art Magazine: Ibrahim Mahama Leads 'Power100' - Ghana’s Ibrahim Mahama Tops *ArtReview* Power 100, Reshaping Global Art Influence
Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama has been named the most influential figure in global art by ArtReview. His rise marks the first time someone from Africa has topped the ArtReview Power 100 list. The rankings also highlight the growing influence of Gulf states and German art professionals.
Mahama’s work focuses on labour, exploitation, and economic extraction. He uses materials like jute sacks and coal to explore these themes. Beyond his art, he channels profits into cultural projects in Tamale, his hometown in Ghana.
The 2025 ArtReview Power 100 list places Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani in second position. As chair of Qatar Museums, her role reflects the Gulf’s expanding role in art through major investments. Other high-ranking figures include German photographer Wolfgang Tillmans at tenth and German artist Hito Steyerl at 25th.
German curator Beatrix Ruf appears at 19th, while Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung, the Cameroonian-born director of Berlin’s Haus der Kulturen der Welt, ranks 26th. The list also features other notable Germans, such as painter Gerhard Richter and curator Hans Ulrich Obrist, reinforcing the country’s strong presence in the art world.
Mahama’s top ranking signals a shift in the art scene’s power dynamics. The list also underscores the increasing prominence of Gulf patrons and European professionals. Their positions reflect broader changes in funding, influence, and cultural priorities.
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