In the last 3-4 years, more collectors and investors of African art have started galleries dedicated to contemporary African art on the continent and in the diaspora. This is an important move for the art market as it is a way to invest in African artists and promote them in the African diaspora and the global art scene. In this article, we are highlighting the new galleries showing works by contemporary African artists in the diaspora.
Efie Gallery is a Dubai-based contemporary art gallery specialised in the promotion of African artists within the continent and the diaspora, with a particular focus on artists from West Africa. Founded in 2021 by Kwame Mintah, Valentina Mintah, and Kobi Mintah, the gallery represents both mid-career and established artists, exhibiting their works in the Middle East, thereby creating a unique platform for collaboration and exchange between the two regions. This collaboration goes beyond the mere exhibition of works from African artists as the residency programmes caters to the gallery’s artists and local artists. Since its launch, Efie Gallery has gone on to exhibit the works of a number of artists of African origin like Isshaq Ismail, Yaw Owusu, Aida Muluneh, El Anatsui, Abdoulaye Konate, and Maggie Otieno.
OWA Gallery is a contemporary art gallery based in Dubai focused on showing works from emerging artists from Africa and the diaspora. Founded in 2023 by Zoe Browne, ‘a passionate pan-Africanist and aesthete, who believes in the power of art to inspire, unite and educate people,’ the gallery does not currently have its own physical space but this is something that is bound to change before the year ends. OWA means ‘home’ in the Edo language from Benin, Nigeria. It is said that OWA symbolises the essence of belonging, no matter how near or far you are from where you call home. The mission is to foster a cross-cultural exchange, celebrating both the creative and cultural richness of Africa in the Middle East and beyond. They have exhibited African artists like Kofi Amoateng. Artists on their roster are Festus Alagbe, Jimbo Lateef, Grace Awe, Kofi Amoateng, and Godwin Rotimi.
Ross-Sutton Gallery was founded by Destinee Ross-Sutton, an independent curator, advisor, gallerist, artist manager, and advocate in 2020. Her focus is on contemporary art from artists of the African diaspora, as she is committed to showing, promoting, and protecting the interests of black artists. Working across different countries, Ross-Sutton is described as a “nomadic gallery.” Since its opening, Ross-Sutton has exhibited African artists like Adegboyega Adesina, Johnson Eziefula, Khari Turner, Annon Affotey, Odinakachi Okoroafor, Isshaq Ismail, and Adjei Tawiah, amongst others.
Iyanuoluwa Adenle is a Nigerian art writer, essayist, and poet based in Lagos. She is currently the head writer at Omenai. Adenle has contributed to a number of art publications, including Tender Photo, Art News Africa, Pavillon 54, and Omenai.
