In a groundbreaking collaboration, Serge Tiroche of Africa First and Amon Yariv of Gordon Gallery have joined forces. Together, they champion the voices of talented African and African diaspora artists. Drawing on their extensive experience, reputation, and market expertise, the duo aims to promote and support these artists globally. Tiroche and Yariv commit themselves to showcasing the richness and diversity of African art.
African contemporary art, long overlooked, has taken the art world by storm in the past decade. Museums and biennales worldwide are now eager to exhibit and collect works by black artists from Africa and the diaspora. Black artists have experienced a significant surge in their market prices. Finally, the artists are reaching notable milestones—for instance, the awarding of all five prizes at the Venice Biennale to them.
Serge Tiroche, an avid collector of African contemporary art for over a decade, established Africa First in 2017. This platform dedicates itself to discovering, supporting, and promoting the most exciting artistic talents in Africa. Tiroche’s collection comprises over 500 works by 180 artists. Moreover, in 2016, Africa First provided one of the earliest specialized international residencies for African artists.
Despite challenges posed by the pandemic, the dynamic duo decided to launch an exhibitions program in Israel. The Africa First residency program was suspended initially due to the pandemic. Nevertheless, they created a platform for emerging and mid-career artists from Africa and its diaspora. They did this by leveraging their respective strengths in the Israeli art market and the international contemporary African art scene.
This initiative offers artists increased visibility and access to a dedicated network of collectors in Israel and beyond. Collectors, in turn, benefit from their expertise. Additionally, they will access privileged positions enjoyed by Gordon Gallery and Africa First in their respective markets. The Israeli public will in turn have the unique opportunity to engage directly with the art and the artists at large. Finally, they will get to see the artists making waves on the international stage.
The program presents 5 to 10 exhibitions, primarily featuring solo shows, at the prestigious location on 6 Hapelech Street in South Tel Aviv. The space, designed by renowned architect Asaf Gottesman, provides a captivating backdrop for the artistic expressions showcased. In 2022, the inaugural year, the program unveiled four solo exhibitions by Tafadzwa Tega, Tafadzwa Masudi, Sizwe Sama, and Simphiwe Mbunyuza. Moreover, they created a group show titled “Portraits” which showcased nine artists’ works. They include Paul Ayihawu, Moufouli Bello, Daniel Gyekyi Gyan, Qhamanande Maswana, Cinthia Sifa Mulanga, Nirit Takele, Tafadzwa Tega, and Godwin Champs Namuyimba.
The 2023 program commenced with the captivating group show “Portraits 2” in February. Once more, they featured the works of Kutlo Mabua, Prudence Chimutuwah, Tafadzwa Tega, Daniel Gyekyi Gyan, and Tafadzwa Masudi. In March, the highly anticipated self-taught South African artist Treasure Mlima showcased his world. This followed Feni Chulumanco’s inaugural solo show in Israel in April.
In response to the pandemic, the program expanded in 2023. They worked to include a dedicated exhibition space in collaboration with Gordon Gallery in Tel Aviv. This partnership has now created an opportunity to showcase the works of seven artists from the program to a broader audience of collectors. This is possible through their collaboration with the Tiroche auction house.
Among the artists presented in this collaboration are Prudence Chimutuwah, Tega Tafadzwa, Tafadzwa Masud, and Treasure Mlima. The partnership between Africa First and Gordon Gallery opens doors for these talented artists and paves the way for a more inclusive and diverse art world. Through their combined efforts, Serge Tiroche and Amon Yariv are driving the appreciation and recognition of African contemporary art, ensuring that these artists’ voices resonate worldwide.
