Showbiz
How to Invest in Art Like a Pro
By Marelize van Zyl
Art has become an increasingly attractive alternative investment, offering the opportunity to diversify one’s portfolio, while having the potential for significant returns. One of its biggest advantages is that, at the very least, it tends to hold its value, and, over time, it can appreciate, all while offering buyers the pleasure of enjoying their acquisitions.
The global art market was valued at $552 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to $585.98 billion in 2025 and $944.59 billion by 2033. This growth is primarily driven by increased artwork sales, particularly among high-net-worth individuals seeking to include art in their investment portfolios alongside traditional assets like stocks, bonds, and real estate. However, investing in art is not exclusive to the wealthy – aspiring collectors can enter the market by acquiring more affordable pieces from emerging and up-and-coming artists.
If you’re looking to start your journey into art collecting and investment, here are some valuable tips:
- Understand the factors that influence value
Before making a purchase, it’s essential to understand what contributes to the value of art:
Several factors influence price appreciation, including:
- The artist’s status and biography – Well-established artists with a strong reputation have higher demand, and promising emerging artists showing potential and growth in their careers allow for significant returns on early investment in their works.
- Provenance – An artwork’s commercial and ownership history as well as its exhibition and literature records can significantly impact its value.
- Artistic significance – Works that play an important role in an artist’s career or the broader art movement in terms of subject matter, medium or styles tend to appreciate more.
- Market trends – Staying informed about which artists and styles are gaining traction can help make informed investment decisions.
- Seek expert advice
Navigating the art market requires knowledge and experience. Consulting specialists who understand market trends and artist trajectories can differentiate a purchase that holds its value from one that significantly appreciates. A well-advised acquisition can result in exponential returns.
For example, in 2012, I sold a still life titled I Love You All the Time by Georgina Gratrix for R45,000. By 2018, her career had flourished, leading to the artwork selling at an Aspire Art auction for R591,000, providing an astounding 1,211% return on investment. Similarly, a Lisa Brice artwork purchased in 2018 for R39,000 sold for R1.2 million in 2023, showcasing the immense appreciation potential in the contemporary art market.
- Explore emerging artists
While investing in blue-chip artists like Irma Stern, whose paintings average R5 million, is a secure way to preserve capital, identifying promising emerging artists can be an exciting and lucrative endeavour. Cinga Samson, for example, started painting in a shared artist studio in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. By 2021, after securing a solo show in New York and being signed by leading galleries, his works began reaching £321,300 at auction. An early piece, originally bought in 2010 for R1,700, later sold for R240,000 in 2023. This demonstrates how strategic investments in emerging talent can yield substantial rewards.
- Consider online auctions and payment flexibility
For new collectors, online art auctions are an effective way to enter the market, offering exposure to a variety of artworks and pricing insights. Aspire Art recently introduced a “buy now, pay later” model, allowing buyers to pay off artworks interest-free over three months, making art collecting more accessible.
- Exercise patience and build a long-term strategy
Investing in art is a long-term commitment. While some works appreciate rapidly, others take years or even decades. Art collecting is a passion-driven pursuit that can become a lucrative investment when approached strategically.
- Take advantage of the current buyer’s market
Right now, market conditions favour buyers, making it an opportune time to start investing in art. With careful selection and strategic acquisitions, investors can lay a strong foundation for future appreciation as market dynamics evolve.
Marelize van Zyl is the CEO of Aspire Art
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A 12-hour non-stop entertainment event offering various performances and activities all night long will take place in Lagos from the evening of December 21 into the early hours of December 22, 2025.
This programme known as InsomniaQ, is being put together by one of Africa’s leading digital payments platforms, Quickteller.
Quickteller is a brand powered by the Interswitch Group, and InsomniaQ was created to celebrate African creativity.
The all-night music and entertainment experience will hold at the Ballroom of the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island.
It is designed to capture the vibrancy and cultural energy that define Lagos in December. InsomniaQ is positioned to become Africa’s newest must-attend December destination.
The concert blends diverse African soundscapes, creative expression, and immersive lifestyle experiences, offering a night curated for music lovers, diaspora returnees, cultural enthusiasts, and everyone drawn to the city’s festive season.
More than a concert, InsomniaQ represents a new cultural moment, one that celebrates the richness, depth, and diversity of African talent. With a lineup cutting across contemporary and alternative genres, the festival aims to introduce a bold, fresh, and unforgettable experience within Lagos’ already vibrant entertainment landscape.
“InsomniaQ is an invitation to celebrate African creativity in a way that feels bold, fresh, and true to who we are.
“Quickteller has always been an essential part of the experiences people value, and this festival brings that connection to life in an entirely new dimension.
“As Lagos welcomes friends, family, and visitors from around the world each December, we are proud to introduce a platform that showcases our music, our culture, and the vibrant energy that defines this season,” the Divisional Head of Growth Marketing for Quickteller Ecosystem at Interswitch, Mr Olawale Akanbi, noted.
Through Quickteller, Interswitch continues to champion initiatives that go beyond digital transactions to enrich the everyday life of millions of Nigerians.
InsomniaQ extends this mission by empowering cultural expression, unlocking creative opportunities, and supporting the continent’s growing entertainment ecosystem.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The quartet of Oyindamola Timothy (Fashion), Steve Adeyemo (Tech), Uche Kalu (Dance), and Emmanuel Elijah (Music) emerged the category winners of the Stanbic IBTC FUZE Talent Show 4.0.
They received N10 million each for their efforts, along with mentorship opportunities, industry exposure, and support to advance their creative journeys.
The four were chosen from the 12 finalists at an event aired on Sunday, December 14, 2025, on AIT (DStv Channel 253) at 7:00 pm, Africa Magic Showcase (DStv Channel 151) at 5:00 pm, and streamed live on the official Stanbic IBTC YouTube channel, connecting millions of viewers to the excitement and energy of the show.
The 2025 edition drew over 6,000 entries nationwide and continued to inspire a new wave of innovation among young Nigerians in fashion, technology, dance, and music. The participants fought for a share of the N90 million in prizes put up by the organisers.
This year, the FUZE Talent Show also introduced an exciting new twist: The Fan Favourite Feature, which allowed viewers across the country to vote for the contestant who most inspired them. This addition deepened audience participation and further strengthened FUZE’s mission to connect creativity with community support.
“FUZE 4.0 truly lived up to its promise as The Ultimate Show, a platform that celebrates courage, creativity, and innovation.
“Every contestant who graced that stage reminded us of the extraordinary potential of Nigerian youths.
“At Stanbic IBTC, we are proud to continue creating opportunities that help young people dream bigger, think bolder, and achieve more. It is all about home-grown talent for us as we power the made-in-Nigeria initiative,” the chief executive of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Mr Chuma Nwokocha, said.
As excitement builds for FUZE Festival coming up on Saturday, December 20, 2025, attendees can anticipate experiencing this year’s edition theme The Ultimate Show in full, with circus-style attractions, from magicians and parade performers to flash mobs and art displays.
An expanded marketplace, freebies from participating partners and on-site Stanbic IBTC services will enhance convenience, while performances by Wande Coal, Pheelz, Chike, and Ms DSF will add a nostalgic, high-energy finish. Interested attendees can register to attend via the Stanbic IBTC Events App or visit www.events.stanbicibtc.com to secure their spot.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The 2019 single released by Nigerian singer, songwriter, and producer, CKay, Love Nwantiti, has officially surpassed one billion streams on Spotify.
This feat has made him one of the few African artists to reach this milestone and the first Nigerian solo act to achieve this.
The song has sustained a global appeal, with listeners from the United States, India, Indonesia, Brazil, and the United Kingdom playing it in the last 28 days alone, a proof of the track’s staying power well beyond its viral peak.
This achievement places CKay in an elite group of African artists with billion-stream records on Spotify, which includes hits driven by collaborations with Nigerian artists, such as Drake’s One Dance (featuring Wizkid and Kyla), Future’s Wait For U (featuring Drake and Tems), and Rema’s Calm Down (featuring Selena Gomez), and solo song Water, by Tyla.
Love Nwantiti was released on CKay’s EP titled CKay the First. It began as a slow-burn masterpiece that captured a global audience. It then broke out by blending the grooving rhythm of Afrobeats with an emotional feeling and an entrancing melody, a sound CKay himself pioneered and coined as Emo-Afrobeats, fusing African rhythms with raw, heartfelt emotion.
The song, which translates to sweet gentle love in the Igbo language, communicates an intense desire for a love interest. Its journey from a homegrown Nigerian track to a cultural sensation fuelled by countless dance challenges, social virality, and international remixes is proof of the widespread power of its sound.
It remains a fixture on playlists globally, with over 3.9 million playlist adds and sustained streaming momentum across continents.
CKay achieved this historic mark with a solo, non-collaborative lead release by a Nigerian artist. This distinction highlights his unique vision and singular impact as both a writer and performer, making him a true torchbearer for the new generation of African music talent.
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