Africa Art, a project initiated by Africa Centrum, showed works by nearly 30 artists from 18 African countries on digital screens and media façades in 11 cities across Russia. The display coincided with the third Russia-Africa Summit and the Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum.
The project pairs its public displays with meetings between artists and cultural professionals. MAER GROUP is the project’s media partner.
Aims and organizers#
Africa Centrum is an African non-profit organization that runs projects on the continent, in Russia and in other countries. Through Africa Art, it aims to raise awareness of the range of contemporary African artistic creation and to develop exchanges between African and Russian artists.
Jocelin-Patrick Mandzela, President of Africa Centrum and Honorary Consul of the Republic of the Congo in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region, said:
“Our ambition is to give African artists greater visibility and build lasting relationships with cultural partners. These exchanges should also continue in Africa through projects developed together with local artists and institutions.”
Selection and Moscow meetings#
The works explore themes including cultural memory, urban life and identity. They were selected by Igo Diarra, director of Galerie Médina in Mali, and Daria Vanyukova, deputy head of the “Museum of Cultures of African Countries” department at the State Museum of Oriental Art in Russia.
In Moscow, Russia, meetings on 28 and 29 October at the State Museum of Oriental Art and the ZILART Museum brought together participants including:
- Massow Ka
- Hamdia Traore
- Andrew Tshabangu
- Igo Diarra
- Daou Bakary Emmanuel
- Baudouin Mouanda
- Daouda Souleymane Corera
- Xander Pratt
Congolese photographer Baudouin Mouanda spoke about the value of visits to museums and galleries for cultural exchange and projects in Africa. He discussed possible cooperation involving his ClassPoCulture cultural centre in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo. Malian artist Daou Bakary Emmanuel said he wanted to strengthen his ties with Russian artists.
Next steps for the project#
Africa Centrum plans to continue the project with Russian photographers, videographers and visual artists. Joint exhibitions are being considered in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, and St. Petersburg, Russia, to introduce the participants’ work to new audiences and continue exchanges in both Africa and Russia.
Partnership with the Roscongress Foundation#
The initiative is part of Africa Centrum’s relationship with the Roscongress Foundation. The two began cooperating in 2023 with the “Stars of Africa” festival, and the collaboration continued at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and at Russia-Africa events.
A cooperation agreement dated 29 October 2026, concluded between the Roscongress Foundation and the Russian entity of Africa Centrum, marks a new stage in the relationship. It covers cultural and educational projects and the organization of international meetings.
