Tate has long been at the forefront of showcasing African art through its influential Africa Acquisitions Committee (AAC), the main engine whose support allows Tate to continue to represent the practice of modern and contemporary artists from Africa and the African diaspora in the UK national collection, enabling the acquisition of over 58 bodies of work by 42 artists since being established in 2011. As well as  elevating the global profile of African artists by supporting these major acquisitions, the Committee’s work underpins Tate’s broader commitment to modern and contemporary African art, as seen in El Anatsui’s recent Hyundai Commission: Behind the Red Moon, the exhibition A World in Common: Contemporary African Photography, Meschac Gaba’s newly opened display at Tate Modern, and the major exhibition on Nigerian Modernism coming up this Autumn.

This mission is further strengthened by the appointment of Omenaa Mensah, a philanthropist, journalist and founder of the OmenaArt Foundation, as the first Polish member of the AAC. Her historic inclusion brings new opportunities to bridge African and European art worlds while advancing the committee’s vision of promoting African and diaspora art on a global stage.

Ablade Glover and Omenaa Mensah Courtsey of OmenaArt Foundation

Mensah’s work embodies the intersection of art, philanthropy and education. Through the OmenaArt Foundation, she has spearheaded transformative projects, including the Kids Haven Sports and Art Complex in Ghana, which provides a platform for cultural exchange and youth development, and ART INVESTMENT MASTERCLASS, a five-month program in partnership with Sotheby’s Institute of Art, aimed at educating Polish business leaders, investors and philanthropists about the global art market. The program complements her role as the founder of the TOP CHARITY Auction, Europe’s largest charitable art auction, which was recently recognized as The Best Luxury Auction Event in Europe 2024.

Reflecting on her appointment to the Africa Acquisitions Committee, Mensah noted, "Joining the Africa Acquisitions Committee at Tate is a great honor for me and a unique opportunity to actively promote contemporary African art on the international stage. I believe that art has the power to build bridges between cultures, but it is through agency and frequent artistic collaborations that we can truly support understanding and appreciation of diversity. My dream is to foster collaborations between European, including Polish, and African artists, to jointly showcase cultural richness and diversity."

The Africa Acquisitions Committee’s impact resonates far beyond Tate, solidifying its position as a leader in celebrating African creativity through the acquisition and exhibition of works by prominent artists like Yinka Shonibare, Zanele Muholi, and Billie Zangewa.