Across the globe, a growing group of individuals are making it their mission to build collections of art made by artists of African descent. These collectors are as diverse as the art they collect and so too are their motivations for collecting—from the aesthetic need to fill one’s home with beauty through to the desire to discover work from unknown and undiscovered artists. Whatever the motivation, advice on how to build a collection rings true for most—see, touch, feel, learn.

In a field where provenance and the name behind a collection can garner as much respect as the artwork (much to the chagrin of some), we showcase the connoisseurs, the hunters, the newcomers, and the tastemakers to learn from their journeys. View highlights from extensive personal collections in our Collector Spotlights.