A new art exhibition of black female artists at London’s HOFA Gallery in London. The HOFA Gallery and ADA contemporary art gallery (Accra, Ghana) joined forces to premiere an all-female group exhibition, Mother of Mankind.
The exhibition showcases an international selection of 16 emerging artists. The show is the first of its kind to be showcased by both galleries and was curated by Adora Mba, Founder of ADA\ contemporary art gallery.
Mother of Mankind sheds light on a new generation of rising artists whose work challenges and deconstructs art historical canons of representation – recurring motives which often marginalize and obliterate Black figures, and in particular, the Black female figure. Award-winning artists such as Emma Prempeh and Jamilla Okubo will appear alongside 14 other headline artists hailing from Nigeria, Canada, UK, South Africa, Ghana, US and France. The artists share a bold figurative approach and a courageous, spirited embrace of mixed media that make the show a spectacular display of colours, lighting contrasts, and styles of portraiture that range from classic, austere, and prestigious to surreal, sensual, and playful.
The exhibition, which runs until August 31. It will be the largest exhibition of all-female artists of African descent, showcasing work around the subject of black femininity by 18 women.
Speaking to AOL, exhibition curator, Adora Mba, said she is proud to be bringing together what she said could be the start of “something special”, adding it feels like a “sisterhood”.
She said, “It was about bringing together incredible artists and giving them the platform they deserve. This is just the beginning. To do it in London is special because it’s at the centre of the art world and is a place with so many different cultures.
“I am a Nigerian, I’m Ghanaian but I was born and raised in England, so I’m British. I think there is something about that global cross-continental dialogue which I wanted to bring. It is a like a world map of what is going on with the artists.”
Ms Mba said after promoting contemporary African art for many years, she is pleased the rest of the world has “caught on”. She added, “Everyone is like ‘we get it and it is amazing’. I am really glad that the artists are being recognised. “Emotionally, I feel like I am living my dream come true.”
The exhibition opens its doors to the public on Thursday 22 July and marks a return to normality for the art gallery following an end to restrictions on Monday.
For more information, visit the HOF Gallery website.
