Ryann Willis

Ryann Willis literally grew up surrounded by African art. Born in Rome, she is the daughter of James Willis, the highly respected African Art Dealer and appraiser. As his Gallery Director for five years, she curated exhibitions, and gained invaluable insight in buying, selling and researching non-European art.

Ryann also studied African art in Europe, focusing on the art of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. She has traveled many times to Africa on collecting missions and frequently visits the African art centers of Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam. For several years she was a board member of Friends of Ethnic Art; a non-profit organization dedicated to the appreciation of ethnic art. Ryann also helped establish The World of Tribal Arts magazine and was a long-time contributing editor to this influential and important publication. Click here to read her The World of Tribal Arts interview of Jean Willy Mestach.

Ryann Willis Ancient Art was founded in 1997 to increase the appreciation of ancient African art forms. Ryann specialized in Nok, Sokoto and Katsina statuary as these new and exciting finds became available. She has held two important African terracotta exhibitions and has finished her book, Red Earth, Black Fire: Art from Ancient Africa.

Ms. Willis holds a degree from UCLA and currently lectures on African art and Primitive ceramics. She regularly exhibits at numerous tribal art fairs every year.