Reports

London Gallery Weekend returns for its sixth edition this 5–7 June, bringing together over 120 galleries across the capital for three days of exhibitions, talks, and events — all free and open to the public. For its Co-Directors Jeremy Epstein and Sarah Rustin, the 2026 edition is "a convening moment that is both local and global in its scope and audience, reflecting the year-on-year revitalisation and evolution of the capital's contemporary art scene."

Tiwani Contemporary is closing its London doors. The gallery, which has operated out of 24 Cork Street in Mayfair since 2023 will shut its London space after already pausing operations at its Lagos outpost on Victoria Island.

Polish philanthropist and art advocate Omenaa Mensah, of Ghanaian heritage, has been invited to join the prestigious Africa Acquisitions Committee (AAC) at Tate, one of the world’s most influential cultural institutions. Her appointment not only marks a milestone as the first Polish member of the Committee but also underscores Warsaw’s growing significance on the global art world.

This November, Lagos will host a milestone edition of ART X Lagos — the fair turns ten. Since its founding in 2016 by Tokini Peterside‑Schwebig, ART X Lagos has grown into West Africa’s premier art-fair and a benchmark for contemporary African art.

The Nigerian art landscape welcomed a major new institution with the launch of ADEGBOLA Gallery in Victoria Island, Lagos. Founded by lawyer and cultural entrepreneur Kayode Adegbola, the gallery officially opened its doors on October 1, 2025, Nigeria's Independence Day. The space has been established with the ambition of creating a new home for serious curatorial work that is deeply anchored in local context while maintaining global relevance.

The UK government has acquired Journaliste (2023), a powerful mixed-media animation by British-Congolese artist Djofray Makumbu, for the nation’s public art collection, marking a major milestone in the artist’s rising career.

In the latest twist in the ever-blurring lines between internet virality and art world credibility, American artist KAWS has publicly denied any collaboration with London-based Nigerian artist and designer Slawn, following a now-viral post shared by Slawn suggesting a joint project between the two.

In response to a growing chorus in the global art world declaring that “Black figuration is over,” O’DA Art Gallery’s latest exhibition, Black Figuration is Alive and Well, offers a firm and timely rebuttal. Bringing together a dynamic group of contemporary artists working across painting, sculpture, photography, collage, and digital media, the exhibition argues for figuration not as trend or aesthetic repetition, but as a vital language of presence, imagination, and agency.

The Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) will officially open its new museum campus in Benin City, Nigeria, to the public on Tuesday, 11 November 2025. The opening marks a major milestone in the institution’s vision to build world-class infrastructure for the research, preservation, and presentation of West African art and heritage.

Victoria Ndubuisi’s distinctive approach to painting captures attention in a remarkable way. In her ongoing solo exhibition titled "Ọmụgwo," she employs a unique marbling technique for the backgrounds of her artworks, created through the dynamic act of performance.

The upcoming Aichi Triennale 2025, set from September 13 to November 30 in Japan, promises a reformative global dialogue on contemporary art. Under the evocative theme A Time Between Ashes and Roses—a nod to Adonis’s 1970 poem—the festival goes beyond mere traditional national narratives, inviting diverse perspectives that reimagine our connection to time, nature, and society. Among the 60 selected artists, a powerful contingent from Africa brings distinct voices and innovative practices to the international stage. Here’s a closer look at five remarkable African artists featured in this year's Triennale.

Art Basel has unveiled the lineup for its 2025 edition in Basel, Switzerland, set to take place from June 19–22, with preview days on June 17–18. The fair, widely regarded as a bellwether for the global art market, will host 291 galleries, including major blue-chip establishments and an expanded focus on ultra-contemporary art through a newly introduced section—Premiere.

Art Basel has unveiled its latest initiative—the Art Basel Awards—a groundbreaking recognition platform set to spotlight artists, curators, and influential figures who shape the global art landscape. This ambitious program underscores Art Basel’s growing commitment to acknowledging excellence and fostering innovation across artistic disciplines.

At a time when conversations about diversity, representation, and identity are more important than ever, Bozar’s latest exhibition When We See Us offers a powerful exploration into how we perceive ourselves and others.

Curated by Osei Bonsu, curator of international art at Tate Modern, and Cale Garrido, guest curator at the C/O Berlin Foundation, A World in Common presents twenty-three African and African diaspora artists from different generations and geographical contexts - with works by Kelani Abass, Atong Atem, Malala Andrialavidrazana, Edson Chagas, Kudzanai Chiurai, Rotimi Fani-Kayode, Maïmouna Guerresi, Hassan Hajjaj, Délio Jasse, Julianknxx, Samson Kambalu, Kiripi Katembo, Lebohang Kganye, Mário Macilau, Sabelo Mlangeni, Santu Mofokeng, Fabrice Monteiro, Aïda Muluneh, Wura-Natasha Ogunji, George Osodi, Dawit L. Petros, Zina Saro-Wiwa, and Khadija Saye.

The British-Nigerian artist and designer Yinka Ilori has transformed Sotheby’s café on New Bond Street with his distinctive style, infusing the space with vibrant adire motifs, bold symbols, and colorful furnishings. The installation, titled "Pride is Within My Story," runs until October 31, and celebrates the diverse talents that have made London their home while highlighting the city's inclusive artistic community.

An African art collection is once again set for auction after its owner, Sam Njunuri, filed for bankruptcy earlier this year. The collection, comprising over 1,000 pieces including sculptures and monuments, has been at the centre of a legal dispute dating back to 2015.

O’DA Art is pleased to present, Walk like a Champion, Abe Odedina’s first solo exhibition in Lagos, Nigeria. This new body of work is a testament to this special gathering and the thrilling opportunity to finally exhibit in Nigeria again and most importantly, to make a show for his Mother ahead of the centenary of her birth. Its title, that Odedina attests, ‘is not about swagger. It’s not about strutting around. It’s about what you think a champion is? It’s about being undeniably true to yourself. When we say “walk”, it’s in a more important sense than one foot in front of the other. It’s how you go through life. It’s the Big Walk.’

First major UK solo exhibition of new and recent works by Lagos-based artist Nengi Omuku, exploring her profound relationship with the natural world.