The Tyburn Foundation is delighted to announce its international residency programme, launching Spring 2025, to promote artistic exchange and collaboration between African and global institutions. Based in Umbria – the heart of Italy – cooperation and partnership are central to the Foundation’s ethos.
To inaugurate its residency programme Tyburn Foundation announces its prestigious partnership with Civitella Ranieri, an internationally renowned residency nestled in the hills of Umbria, Italy, offering a transformative platform to advance the support and global recognition of contemporary African art. Tyburn Foundation also proudly announces The Bridge Visual Arts Residency, a collaborative initiative with the artist-founded organisation Animal Farm Artist Residency (Zimbabwe). This residency, hosted by artist Admire Kamudzengerere provides early-career artists with the opportunity to engage with diverse artistic communities, techniques, and cultural contexts across Zimbabwe. In addition, La Foce Residency will host one artist annually at a dedicated Tyburn residency space in Umbria. The inaugural resident is Michele Mathison (b. 1977, Zimbabwe/South Africa), whose practice explores the intersection of contemporary sculpture and cultural storytelling. Mathison will embark on a large-scale public art project as part of his residency in Umbria.
Building on the legacy of Tyburn Gallery, which championed emerging African artists, the Tyburn Foundation will continue to support early and mid-career visual artists from Africa. Founded by South African art collector and former gallerist Emma Menell, the foundation is committed to nurturing the next generation of African artists, driving professional development, and amplifying global visibility.
Emma Menell, Founder and Director comments, “Tyburn Foundation seeks to support Africa’s art ecosystem with a more dedicated, tailored, and slow-paced engagement with artists than is possible in a commercial context. The Foundation will provide African artists with a platform for growth and visibility through an international network of residencies and exhibitions. Working with artists for many years, we saw that the art market, while
crucial for visibility and sales, demands rapid production and immediate results, which limits the time and space artists need to develop their ideas. The Foundation aims to address this gap, offering long-term support and an environment where artists can focus on meaningful, sustainable contributions to society. We are delighted to partner with Civitella Ranieri, one of Italy’s most esteemed residency programs, as well as Animal Farm in Zimbabwe.”
Located in a 15th-century castle in Umbria, Italy, Civitella Ranieri offers artists the freedom to work both independently and collaboratively. Each year, the Tyburn Foundation Affiliated Fellowship at Civitella will sponsor one or two artists for a six-week residency at the castle. The inaugural artist at Civitella Ranieri in 2025 will be South African sculptor Driaan Claassen (b.1991, South Africa), followed by Khadija Jayi (b.1989, Morocco) and Option Dzikamai Nyahunzvi (b.1992, Zimbabwe) in 2026.
Alessandra Olivi, a Director of Tyburn Foundation comments, “This is an extraordinary opportunity not only to support individual artists but also to work with local partners to create a lasting ripple effect on the artistic infrastructure and art scenes within Africa. Having previously served as a director of Tyburn Gallery, I have witnessed first-hand the power of collaboration and creative dialogue. This new chapter with Tyburn Foundation
allows us to deepen our commitment to the next generation of African artists, creating more avenues for emerging artists to shine on a global stage.”
The Bridge Visual Arts Residency offers specialised printmaking training and mentorship under Admire Kamudzengerere, along with valuable exposure and opportunities to engage with local art scenes and communities. The inaugural recipients of this 8-week program are Mbali Tshabalala (b. 1988, South Africa) and Primrose Panashe Chingandu (b. 1998, Zimbabwe) beginning in May 2025.
Every year the works produced during the residencies will be showcased at the Tyburn Foundation Annual Exhibition, set to travel internationally. This exhibition will celebrate the artistic achievements of the residency participants and provide a global platform for their work.
