Latest news with #EfieGallery
Gulf Today
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Anatomy of healing: Efie Gallery diagnoses curative power of time
Efie Gallery, Dubai, has announced 'time heals, just not quick enough...' an exhibition curated by Ose Ekore featuring works by contemporary artists across generations — Samuel Fosso (b. 1962), Aida Muluneh (b. 1974), Kelani Abass (b. 1978), Abeer Sultan (b. 1999) and Sumayah Fallatah (b. 2000). The second exhibition to take place in the gallery's new Alserkal Avenue location, the group show of film and photography (June 1 – July 30) offers visual narratives that encourage reflection on healing, growth and understanding, through the passage of time. Sumayah Fallatah's work weaves personal and family narratives with broader themes of race, migration and the African diaspora in the Arab world. In 'I became you, so I lost myself' (2024), she layers family photographs, archival images, indigo-dyed textiles and red thread, to reflect on the emotional toll of cultural assimilation and the grief of migration. Unfolding Layers 2 by Kelani Abass. Her video 'Fruits of Meditation' (2023) revisits a childhood memory of her father's meditative ritual — reciting fruit names while making squeezing motions — captured through two parallel videos: one of her father selecting fruit in deep meditation and the other of Fallatah attempting to understand his practice. Abeer Sultan's 'Agua Viva' explores marine life through personal history, inspired by her family's migration from West Africa to Saudi Arabia in the 1930s. Using self-portraiture, she constructs a new narrative, intertwining hidden geographies and overlooked histories. Through collages, photography and moving images of jellyfish, corals and shells, Sultan creates fictional artifacts and lost data, shaping a new mythology for future generations of the African diaspora in the Arabian Peninsula. Kelani Abass merges history, memory and technology, drawing influence from his father's letterpress printing company. His mixed-media works layer photography, text and found objects, blending mechanical processes with traditional painting techniques, to explore time's passage and identity's fluidity. Abeer Sultan's A Poem Broken by a Breath. Samuel Fosso challenges identity and representation through experimental self-portraits embodying various personas. On view are 20 works from his 70's Lifestyle series (1974 – 1978). The artist's first exposure to photography outside the Central African Republic came through magazine images brought by visiting American Peace Corps volunteers. Captivated by the fashion and style of African Americans and West African music icon Prince Nico Mbarga, he sought to channel both influences through stylised self-portraits in his studio. Aida Muluneh's photographs subvert conventional representations of African women through a bold, signature visual language rooted in surrealism and Ethiopian cultural motifs. Her striking compositions, often rendered in vivid primary colours, employ face painting, masks and ceremonial garments, to explore the intersection of personal and political narratives. Muluneh reframes narratives of womanhood and underscores photography as a powerful tool in reshaping Africa's global image. Ose Ekore said that 'in an era shaped by urgency, 'time heals, just not quick enough...' invites viewers to slow down and reconsider their relationship with time. The curatorial direction emerged organically, guided by the themes the participating artists have been thoughtfully exploring in their practices.' Curator Ose Ekore (left) and Aida Muluneh He is a Nigerian curator based in the UAE, whose practice explores the intersections of African histories, contemporary art and public engagement. His work serves as a platform for investigating and documenting the relationship between public art and community, fostering inclusive and accessible cultural discourse. Ekore has collaborated with a wide range of artists and cultural institutions to commission and produce exhibitions, publications, public programmes and artist residencies. Central to his curatorial approach is a commitment to accessibility, ensuring that art remains open and engaging to diverse audiences. He is the co-founder of Bootleg Griot, a community-driven public library project currently in-residence in Efie Gallery's Rekord Gallery, and a curatorial assistant at Sharjah Art Foundation. 'The term contemporary African art,' says Wikipedia, 'implies a particular kind of art that has conquered, or, as some would say, has been absorbed by the international art world and art market since the 1980s. It was the time when the world became aware of art made in Africa by individual artists, thus breaking with the colonial tradition of assuming collective 'ethnic' origins of so-called 'tribal art'. Efie Gallery is a contemporary art gallery based in Dubai, specialising in the representation and advancement of artists of African origin, both from the African continent and its global diaspora. Since its inception in 2021, the opening of its permanent space in 2022 and its relocation from Al Khayat Avenue to Alserkal Avenue in 2025, the gallery has established itself as a global platform for some of Africa's most significant artists. Sumayah Fallatah (left) and Samuel Fosso's 70s Lifestyle, 1974-1978 Efie Gallery's mandate is to enable and support cross-cultural exchange between Africa, the Middle East and beyond. In addition to its wide-ranging roster of artists and exhibitions, it operates a residency programme that facilitates collaborations with local artists, institutions and community members, supporting artists in the narrative and vision of their work. Part of Dubai's Al Quoz Creative Zone, a global hub for creativity and entrepreneurship, Efie Gallery aims to create a vibrant ecosystem for contemporary African art in the UAE. Its space also displays the gallery founders' collection of rare vinyl and shellac records from around the world, celebrating the intersection of art and music. Efie is the Twi word for 'home', addressing the notion of belonging and how it can be determined by culture, history and identity for communities across the world. Founded by Ghanaian family Valentina, Kwame and Kobi Mintah, Efie Gallery's vision is to foster dialogue between African artists and the wider world.
The National
21-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
What to see at Alserkal Art Week in April, from exhibitions to public discussions
Dubai's arts district, Alserkal Avenue, has announced a week-long programme of exhibitions and public discussions in April. Alserkal Art Week will run from April 13 to 20 under the theme A Wild Stitch. The programme 'gathers voices challenging the single grand narrative, carefully threading space for multiplicity, hybridity and alternative perspectives that refuse to be neatly stitched into place'. Among the highlights is Vanishing Points, a mixed-media exhibition inspired by South Asian cityscapes, at Concrete. The show will include photography, video, painting, and a site-specific installation. Works by Emirati artist Nujoom Al Ghanem and Indian artist Shilpa Gupta will be displayed throughout Alserkal Avenue. Curated by writer Fatos Ustek, Al Ghanem's photography explores the connection between identity and the surrounding physical landscape, while Gupta's sculptures take inspiration from the desert and the sea. A diverse selection of regional and international galleries will present exhibitions centred on themes of displacement, resilience, and identity. I Am Soil. My Tears Are Water, a solo exhibition by Cuban artist Magdalena Campos-Pons at Efie Gallery, is a reflection on ancestral memory shaped by colonial histories across Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. Meanwhile, Iraqi-Palestinian artist Sama Alshaibi will present a photographic series capturing Baghdad's shifting landscapes at Ayyam Gallery. Leila Heller Gallery is staging Iranian artist Reza Derakshani's first solo exhibition in five years. I Paint Your Grace, I Paint Your Pain, I Paint Your Love is a meditation on memory and personal transformation. The programme also includes Majlis Talks, a series of public discussions in which participants will debate 'unrealistic questions and impossible positions' within the UAE's arts scene. Alserkal Avenue will also host the Hong Kong Film Festival, from Saturday until March 28 at Cinema Akil. Presented by the Asian Film Awards Academy, the festival screens a selection of films spanning romantic fantasy, classic cinema and action genres. This year's programme features newly released titles alongside timeless classics of Hong Kong cinema. Among the films showing is An Abandoned Team, starring Lawrence Cheng, Amy Lo and Jay Fung, and Montages of a Modern Motherhood, starring Hedwig Tam, Patra Au and Chun Yip Lo. In the classics slot is 1993's The Bride with White Hair, a beloved film in the wuxia (adventures of martial artists) genre, the film follows a young man who is set to succeed to his clan's throne, as he battles the powers of evil while falling in love with a female warrior.
FACT
19-03-2025
- Entertainment
- FACT
Alserkal Art Week returns to Dubai this April
Check out these shows from local and international artists. We're calling it: Alserkal Avenue is the art hub of Dubai. The streets are bursting with an impressive range of galleries, workshops and concept stores, all ready to provide you with a culture fix. To keep the momentum going, Alserkal Art Week is returning to the emirate. Taking place from 13 to 20 April, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai's leading creative hub in Al Quoz, will once again transform into an epicentre of contemporary art, creativity, and dialogue for Alserkal Art Week. Expect a mix of exhibitions, public art installations, talks, and performances that will spark your imagination. This year's theme, A Wild Stitch, dives into the messy, multi-layered nature of today's world. It's all about embracing complexity and voices that don't fit into standardised boxes. Expect bold conversations, alternative narratives, and plenty of surprises. Hector Zamora's Existence-emitting Movements The highlight of Alserkal Art Week is a show by Pakistani artist Imran Qureshi at Concrete, curated by Nada Raza. In this work, Imran Qureshi blends video, photography, painting, and installation to blur perspectives. His work beautifully captures the layered cityscapes of South Asia — think Mughal and Sikh architecture colliding with modern design. Moving on, new public art commissions will pop up at Alserkal Avenue as well. Under the theme and inspiration of Between a Beach and Slope — a poem by Emirati artist Nujoom Alghanem — Fatos Ustek has curated this display. Highlights here will include Indian artist Shilpa Gupta's light sculpture. Hector Zamora's performance-installation Existence-emitting Movements will also be on the agenda. Featuring performers interacting with vessels, this show will complement the artist's display at Art Dubai and its ongoing collaboration with Alserkal Avenue. Now, we know that art is subjective, but what happens when art enthusiasts get together under one roof to debate? Majlis Talks, curated by Stephanie Bailey, will bring together a set of artists, tackling questions about the art scene in the UAE. Several galleries will also be displaying their groundbreaking work as part of Alserkal Art Week. These include Efie Gallery spotlighting Cuban artist Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons' work exploring migration and ancestral memory, Zawyeh Gallery showcasing British-Palestinian artist Bashir Makhoul's piece, Ayyam Gallery displaying Baghdad's landscapes by Iraqi-Palestinian artist Sama Alshaibi, Leila Heller Gallery representing Iranian artist Reza Derakshani and much more. Beyond installations and exhibitions, Alserkal Art Week will also feature a lineup of artist talks, live workshops, film screenings and much more, offering plenty to dive in. Best of all, most of the exhibitions are free. So, when you need a break from painting the town, spend those dirhams at the local favourites like Bkry, LILA Molino, NALA and the FACT award-winning Nightjar Coffee Roasters. GO: Visit for more information.
Gulf Today
05-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
New space, new phase: Efie Gallery moves address in Dubai
Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer Efie Gallery, the contemporary art gallery located in Dubai which specialises in the promotion of African artists both from the African continent and its global diaspora, is inaugurating a new two-storey, 4,400 square feet space in Alserkal Avenue next month, with a solo exhibition by internationally acclaimed Cuban artist, María Magdalena Campos-Pons. Following an extensive renovation led by the Mintah family, Efie Gallery Founders, in collaboration with Dubai-based architect Suhaira Yousif, the new space expands the gallery's capacity to showcase immersive and large-scale installations by its roster of artists. The relocation to a bigger space underscores the gallery's commitment to representing and advancing artists of African origin even as it strives to foster cross-cultural artistic dialogue with the Middle East and its near abroad. Since its new home is in Dubai's leading cultural district, Alserkal Avenue, it will enhance the gallery's presence in the region's dynamic arts ecosystem. The family-run gallery will continue to be directed by Kwame Mintah, its Co-Founder. The opening exhibition coincides with Art Dubai, where Efie Gallery also participates as exhibitor. The purpose-built advanced space is designed to reflect the founders' African spirit while prioritising artists' needs. The gallery's new home features a concrete, wood and steel aesthetic with a Barrisol Light ceiling providing a feeling of natural light in the main exhibition area — a 1,500 square feet ground-floor gallery with soaring 30-foot-high ceilings that allows artwork to take centre stage. Efie Gallery's hybrid approach to visual art and music will continue with an expanded Rekord Gallery, an immersive listening space accessed through a trap door, featuring 360° audio, mirrored ceilings and bespoke furniture. The space houses the gallery's permanent collection of over 2,000 original vinyl and shellac records, dating from the 1940s to today, displayed across a combined length of 32 metres of wall shelving. In addition, Rekord Gallery will host rotating exhibitions from guest record collectors. The opening exhibition I Am Soil. My Tears Are Water will present new works by gallery artist María Magdalena Campos-Pons, curated by Faridah Folawiyo (Apr. 14 – May 24). Focusing on flora and fauna native to Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, Campos-Pons examines diaspora and relativity — the idea that all life is intertwined. Hibiscus, sugarcane, and guava leaves, among other botanicals rich in floral and vegetal attributes besides their cultural significance, feature prominently in the show. Through painting, sculpture, and site-specific installation created in collaboration with multifaceted musician Kamaal Malak, the exhibition is an exploration of nature, spirituality and the interconnectedness of cultures and geographies. Co-Founder and Director Kwame Mintah said: 'This expansion is more than just a new space — it's a statement of our commitment to creating deeper artistic exchanges between Africa, the Middle East, and the global diaspora. Alserkal Avenue provides the perfect environment for us to push boundaries, presenting ambitious exhibitions that challenge and inspire. We look forward to welcoming visitors into a space where art and music intersect in dynamic ways.' Basmah El-Bittar, Director of Alserkal Avenue, said that 'we are excited to welcome Efie Gallery to the Avenue. We've long admired their commitment to representing voices of artists of African origin, and their arrival marks a bold new chapter for our programme. Since 2008, Alserkal Avenue has been a home to artists, galleries, and creative concepts that challenge norms and break boundaries — and I truly believe Efie Gallery's programme will spark new conversations and expand our community further.' Planned exhibitions in the new space include a film and photography show featuring Kelani Abass, Sumayah Fallatah and Samuel Fosso, besides others, curated by Ose Ekore (May 29 – July 30); a show of modern African art, The Birth of a People, works from 1957-1999 (autumn 2025); and The Shape of Things to Come – curated by Dexter Wimberly (autumn 2025). María Magdalena Campos-Pons is a Cuban-born artist based in Nashville, Tennessee. She works primarily in photography, performance, audiovisual media and sculpture. She is considered a key figure among Cuban artists who found their voice in a post-revolutionary Cuba. Since its inception in 2021, the opening of its permanent space in 2022 and relocation from Al Khayat Avenue to Alserkal Avenue now, Efie Gallery has established itself as a global platform for some of Africa's most significant artists. It enables and supports cross-cultural exchange between Africa, the Middle East and beyond and in addition to its wide-ranging roster of artists and exhibitions, the gallery operates a residency programme that facilitates collaborations with local artists, institutions and community members, supporting artists to complete their narrative and fulfil their vision of their work. Part of Dubai's Al Quoz Creative Zone, set to become a world-leading hub for creativity and entrepreneurship, Efie Gallery aims to create a vibrant ecosystem for contemporary African art in the UAE. Its space also presents the gallery founders' collection of rare vinyl and shellac records from around the world, celebrating the intersection of art and music. Efie is the Twi word for 'home', addressing the notion of belonging and how it is determined by culture, history and identity for communities across the world. Efie Gallery was founded by Ghanaian family consisting of Valentina, Kwame and Kobi Mintah. Alserkal Avenue is a cultural district located in Dubai's Al Quoz industrial area. Established in 2008 by Emirati businessman and cultural patron Abdelmonem Bin Eisa Alserkal, it was founded with a vision to foster a dynamic creative community and support cultural production.
