Zeitz MOCAA presents Spring Is Rebellious: The Art & Life of Albie Sachs, an exhibition that engages the public life of South African lawyer, activist, writer and former judge appointed to the first Constitutional Court of South Africa by Nelson Mandela, Albie Sachs. This exhibition narrates the intertwined artistic…
The UK Government Art Collection has acquired Journaliste by British-Congolese artist Djofray Makumbu, marking a significant addition to its holdings. Journaliste by Djofray Makumbu (Image Courtesy of the artist and Bolanle Contemporary. Photo by Haiyi Wany). The portrait honors Paul Bazakana Bayete, a Congolese journalist whose work with…
Contemporary human experience stretches beyond what we can fully grasp. To explain this, Bernard Mwangi (popularly known as Mwass Githinji) draws inspiration from this complexity. I’ve noticed a sudden urge among artists to look inward, exploring their complexity as regals, participants, and humans. His cultural lab, Studio 1.6—named…
The ARAK Collection, in collaboration with the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, invites emerging and mid-career art writers, cultural critics and researchers based in Zimbabwe to apply for a three-day intensive writing workshop in Harare. The programme will be led by art critic, curator and educator Thembinkosi Goniwe, and…
The French government has just adopted a new bill that outlines the restitution of looted artworks from its former colonies. While the move seems progressive, France still maintains tight control over the process, deciding the terms of restitution on its own. This one-step-forward, two-steps-backward seesaw game displayed by…
The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) presents Hidden Battles / Hondo dzakavanzika, Portia Zvavahera’s first solo museum exhibition in the United States. This significant exhibition represents Zvavahera’s third major international showcase in less than 24 months, following acclaimed presentations at Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris and at Kettle’s…
The Association for Visual Arts (AVA) is pleased to invite proposals for their 2026 exhibition programme. What Are They Looking For? The Association for Visual Arts is looking to support exhibitions that expose new works, feature a wide range of media, highlight marginalised histories, experiences and artistic practices…
After twelve years of pushing boundaries and shaping conversations in the South African art scene, Kalashnikovv Gallery is officially closing its doors. M.J Turpin and Matthew Dean (Image credits: The Kalashnikovv Gallery) Founded in 2013 by M.J. Turpin and Matthew Dean Dowdle, the gallery established itself as a…
“And by the favor of God, you are not mad.” Kamene Cultural Center, Nairobi is currently showcasing Gods in Action exhibition by Sudanese-Norwegian artist Khalid Shatta. Curated by Rahiem Shadad, the exhibition centers on diverse representations of the divine through art, craft, music, and dance. Rooted in the…
Yale University has turned down two federal grants, citing objections to new restrictions targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The grants, from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), were meant to support an upcoming exhibition on African art,…
In a groundbreaking fusion of art and motorsport, Nigerian-British contemporary artist Olaolu Slawn has brought his graffiti-inspired creativity to the world of Formula One. Through a bold collaboration with Red Bull’s Racing Bulls F1 team, Slawn has introduced a dynamic new visual identity that merges urban street culture…
France’s parliament has passed a new law allowing the permanent return of a sacred Ivorian drum taken by colonial troops in 1916. The Djidji ayôkwé talking drum (Image credit: © Pierre Firtion / RFI, December 2022.) The Djidji Ayokwè drum, once used by the Ébrié people of Côte…
Art Basel has appointed celebrated Egyptian artist and filmmaker Wael Shawky as Artistic Director of its inaugural Qatar edition, set to take place in Doha in 2025. The announcement marks a pivotal moment for the region’s cultural landscape, as the world’s leading contemporary art fair expands into the…
The Sharjah Art Foundation has named Angolan architect and curator Paula Nascimento as co-curator of Sharjah Biennial 17, set to open in January 2027. She will work alongside Berlin-based art historian and professor Angela Harutyunyan. Paula Nascimento. (Image credit: Raul Betti) Nascimento, born in Luanda in 1981, is…
Zimbabwean artist Richard Mudariki, known for his sharp political paintings and bold institutional critiques, was blocked from attending his own exhibition at Africa Basel after Swiss authorities denied his visa application. The irony? His show was about access, borders, and the global imbalance in artistic mobility. Richard Mudariki,…
The Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) in Benin City, Nigeria, has announced that it will officially open to the public on the 11th of November 2025. Initially announced in 2020, the MOWAA campus is designed as a 15-acre complex that will feature the MOWAA Institute for research…
Sudan Art Archive seeks to preserve Sudanese visual arts following a time where Sudan’s cultural memory has long been under attack through decades of state censorship and the effects of the devastating ongoing war that began in April 2023. As museums are looted and studios destroyed, the Sudan…
The 1952 Africa Foundation, in partnership with the HOW Foundation, has officially announced the shortlist for the 2025 Chizi Wigwe Prize for African Futurism. This distinguished $15,000 award celebrates visionary African artists who boldly explore the theme “Africa in 2100.” Designed to spotlight the power of imagination, the…
Yinka Shonibare has been announced as one of the key contributors to the Queen Elizabeth II National Memorial in central London. His involvement marks a bold and also thoughtful addition to a landmark that aims to honour the late monarch’s legacy with depth and nuance. Rendering of Foster…
Kaloki Nyamai (b. 1985, Kenya), founder of Kamene Cultural Center, and Michael Armitage (b. 1984, U.K./Kenya), founder of NCAI, are the newest additions to MOWAA’s inaugural artist council. They join West African artists Nengi Omuku (b. 1987, Nigeria), Victor Ehikamenor (b. 1970, Nigeria), Yinka Shonibare CBE RA (b.…