About

I have always had a life-long fascination for Africa and have travelled the continent widely for more than 25 years. It’s beautiful, but it’s always the people who keep me coming back.

I’m magnetically drawn to the new mega-cities and their inhabitants and as an art-historian, especially the contemporary urban artists. These are cutting-edge individuals who dare to be different, to risk their own safety to speak their truth. Knowing them inspires me to live a bigger, bolder, more generous life.

By sharing the stories of these artists I want to create a greater awareness about contemporary African artists in their vibrant cities.

In 2014 I launched URBAN AFRICANS, a platform focused on discovering Africa through the eyes of contemporary artists.

Rosalie van Deursen
Rosalie van Deursen. John Kamicha’s work in the background.

With Urban Africans I share artists stories by curating exhibitions, writing articles, giving lectures,  art consultancy, making documentaries and organising Art Tours to artists studios in African cities and biennials such as Dak’Art and Kampala Art Biennial.

With a Master’s degree in Art and Architectural History from the University of Groningen (NL) as well as a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Amsterdam, I have lectured at the Art Academy in Tilburg and Amsterdam on global contemporary art with a focus on Africa.

I’d love to hear from you: rosalie@urbanafricans.com