Koyo Kouoh, Visionary Curator of 2026 Venice Biennale, Dies at 58
The first African woman appointed to curate the Venice Art Biennale, Koyo Kouoh, passed away suddenly on May 10, 2025. Born in Cameroon in 1967, Kouoh was the executive director and chief curator of the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) in Cape Town. Her appointment to lead the 2026 Biennale was announced […]
Ozwald Boateng Honors Black Tailoring Legacy at 2025 Met Gala
At the 2025 Met Gala, themed “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” Ozwald Boateng stood out by staying true to his roots. Known for revitalizing Savile Row with bold colors and Ghanaian-inspired designs, Boateng was a natural fit for this year’s theme. The first Black tailor with a namesake brand on Savile Row, he’s dressed icons like […]
Nigeria’s Debut Pavilion at London Design Biennale Celebrates Indigenous Innovation
Nigeria is making its inaugural appearance at the London Design Biennale with the pavilion titled Hopes and Impediments. Curated by Nigerian-American designer Myles Igwebuike and produced by Culture Lab Africa’s Itohan Barlow Ndukuba, the pavilion highlights Lejja, an ancient iron-smelting community in Enugu State, as a model of indigenous innovation in technology, governance, and ecology. […]
Jean-Paul Sebuhayi Designs Dignity into Rwanda’s Sustainable Future
Rwandan architect Jean-Paul Sebuhayi of MASS Design Group is reshaping his country’s built environment through sustainable, human-centered architecture. Inspired by his grandfather’s treatment in an under-resourced hospital during his childhood, Sebuhayi is driven to ensure future generations live and heal with dignity. His work—spanning schools, hospitals, and public spaces—emphasizes community impact, regenerative materials, and climate-conscious […]
Guinea-Bissau’s Bienal MoAC Biss 2025 Celebrates Identity and Freedom
The inaugural Bienal MoAC Biss, held from May 1 to 31, 2025, in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, is a landmark cultural event under the theme Mandjuandadi: Identidades em Liberdade (Mandjuandadi: Identities in Freedom). The biennale features a diverse array of artistic expressions, including visual arts, performing arts, literature, music, and public policy discussions, aiming to foster dialogue […]
Namibia’s Wild Horses: A Legacy of War and Resilience
The wild horses of the Namib Desert, near Garub, are a living testament to resilience. Originating from military horses scattered during World War I, they adapted to the harsh desert environment, evolving into a unique herd. Over time, their population dwindled due to drought and predation by spotted hyenas, with no foals surviving for several […]
Línea Sur-Norte Exhibition Bridges Cultures in Tangier
The Línea Sur-Norte exhibition, held at the Cervantes Cultural Institute in Tangier, showcased 28 artworks—including photography, sculptures, contemporary pottery, and paintings—from six countries. Running from April 23 to May 9, the exhibition aimed to foster cultural exchange and demonstrate art’s power to transcend borders. Asunción Pastor, academic head at the Cervantes Institute, emphasized that art […]
Discovering Sierra Leone: A Captivating Gem
Sierra Leone, affectionately known as Salone, is a vibrant West African destination offering a blend of rich history, diverse culture, and stunning natural landscapes. In the capital city, Freetown, visitors can explore the iconic 500-year-old Cotton Tree, a symbol of the nation’s history, and the National Museum, which showcases Sierra Leone’s cultural heritage. The country’s […]
1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair 2025 Celebrates Diverse African Voices
The 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair 2025, held from May 8 to 11, showcased over 70 artists across London, New York, and Marrakech, featuring 30 galleries. The exhibition “Seven Contours, One Collection” presented 150 works exploring themes of decolonization, globalization, memory, and the future, offering a dynamic portrait of contemporary Africa. Artists like Gavin Goodman, […]
Remembering Valentin-Yves Mudimbe, Architect of Decolonial Thought
Valentin-Yves Mudimbe, the Congolese philosopher, linguist, and literary theorist, passed away on April 21, 2025, at age 83 in the U.S. A pioneer of African critical theory, Mudimbe profoundly influenced postcolonial studies with his landmark 1988 book, The Invention of Africa. He challenged the “colonial library” of imposed categories and called for knowledge systems grounded […]