BLACK ART
‍NEAR + FAR

"Unsettling the City: Julie Mehretu’s Epigraph, Damascus" centers on Julie Mehretu's monumental print Epigraph, Damascus, which reimagines urban landscapes through layered mark-making techniques. Employing photogravure, sugar lift aquatint, spit bite aquatint, and open bite, Mehretu reflects on the complexities of city life and the impact of conflict on urban environments. Saint Louis Art Museum, One Fine Arts Drive, Forest Park, St. Louis, MO 63110. Runs from November 21, 2025, to April 12, 2026.

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​Dia Beacon is set to present an exhibition of recently acquired black-and-white works on paper by Jack Whitten, opening on October 24, 2025.These pieces, created in the 1970s, highlight Whitten's experimental shift towards systematic processes and innovative techniques in image-making. The exhibition will open on October 24, 2025.

The Game marks the 40th anniversary of the Cuenca Biennial. It features a dynamic curatorial model with 17 different curators, each selecting three artists (with at least one Ecuadorian per curator) to create a pluralistic exhibition across the city.

"Hayward Oubre: Structural Integrity" celebrates Hayward L. Oubre, Jr. (1916–2006), a pivotal figure in Black American art and modernism. Featuring 52 sculptures, paintings, and prints, it highlights Oubre's innovative use of materials, notably his transformation of wire coat hangers into modernist sculptures. Stanley Museum of Art, 160 W. Burlington St., Iowa City, IA 52242. Runs from August 26, 2025, to December 7, 2025.

Les Abattoirs presents Mickalene Thomas: All About Love, the first major exhibition in France dedicated to the pioneering American artist Mickalene Thomas. On view from June 13 through November 9, 2025, this exhibition marks the final stop of an international tour that included The Broad in Los Angeles, The Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia, and the Hayward Gallery in London. The exhibition showcases over two decades of Thomas's vibrant and multifaceted work, encompassing paintings, collages, photographs, videos, and installations that celebrate Black femininity, power, and love.The title and themes draw inspiration from bell hooks's seminal text, All About Love, emphasizing love as a tool for healing and collective emancipation.

This is Firelei Báez’s first North American survey, presenting 30+ works spanning nearly two decades of her multidisciplinary practice. Originally shown at Boston’s ICA and Vancouver Art Gallery, this tour round completes at Des Moines 

 Carnival, an immersive exhibition that includes a diverse group of artists and explores the vibrant intersection of art and festivity.  The works capture the spirit of carnival through painting, sculpture, and installation and reflect the exuberance, complexity, and cultural significance of carnival traditions worldwide. Jeffrey Deitch Gallery, 18 Wooster Street, New York, NY 10013. Runs from June 5 to August 30, 2025.

Jeffrey Deitch Gallery presents Carnival, an immersive exhibition that explores the vibrant intersection of art and festivity. On view from June 5 through August 30, 2025, the exhibition features a dynamic array of works that capture the spirit of carnival through various mediums, including painting, sculpture, and installation. The exhibition brings together a diverse group of artists whose works reflect the exuberance, complexity, and cultural significance of carnival traditions worldwide.

This is Tau Lewis’ first solo exhibition at Sadie Coles HQ’s Bury Street location, showcasing four sculptural masks created as a unified poetic entity. These pieces symbolically trace the odyssey of Venus during retrograde, reflecting themes of descent, transformation, and rebirth.

Source Notes marks a significant moment in Lorna Simpson’s artistic journey, highlighting a decade of her painting practice that extends her incisive explorations of identity and representation. Transitioning from her pioneering conceptual photography of the 1980s, Simpson's recent works incorporate screen-printed collages using imagery sourced from vintage Ebony and Jet magazines, as well as archives from the Associated Press and the Library of Congress. These found images—her "source notes"—are layered with washes of ink and acrylic on materials like fiberglass, wood, and clayboard, creating compositions where figures emerge and dissolve within abstract landscapes.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents Lorna Simpson: Source Notes, the first exhibition to survey the artist’s painting practice comprehensively. On view from May 19 to November 2, 2025, this landmark showcase features over 30 works, including pieces from Simpson’s acclaimed Venice Biennale debut and her celebrated Special Characters series. The exhibition delves into themes of race, gender, identity, and history through Simpson's innovative fusion of figuration and abstraction. 

Curated by Ekow Eshun, this is a ticketed travelling exhibition anchored at the BMA as part of its “Turn Again to the Earth” initiative—exploring environmental justice, climate change, and colonial histories through art

ICA San Francisco presents Spotlight: Tau Lewis, a solo exhibition featuring the acclaimed Toronto-born artist’s monumental textile sculptures. The exhibition showcases repurposed fabrics and found materials crafted into intricate, layered installations that honor African diasporic traditions of creativity and resilience. Institute of Contemporary Art, San Francisco (ICA), 345 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA. Runs from May 16 -December 7, 2025

ICA San Francisco presents Spotlight: Tau Lewis, a solo exhibition featuring the acclaimed Toronto-born artist’s monumental textile sculptures. Running from May 16 through December 7, 2025, the show showcases repurposed fabrics and found materials crafted into intricate, layered installations that honor African diasporic traditions of creativity and resilience. These works channel ancestral memory and advocate for collective healing through labor-intensive artistry.

​The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute presents "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style," an exhibition exploring the significance of Black dandyism in shaping identities across the Atlantic diaspora.This showcase delves into the evolution of Black sartorial elegance from the 18th century to contemporary fashion.Runs from May 10 to October 26, 2025.​

Features nearly 40 artworks by about 28–30 Black artists, spanning painting, sculpture, drawing, prints, photography, and mixed-media collage.

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Works are organized into five thematic sections: Spiral Group, abstraction, early figuration, contemporary photography, and contemporary figuration.

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Artists represented include Amalia Amaki, Emma Amos, Henry Ossawa Tanner, Faith Ringgold, Lorna Simpson, Sam Gilliam, Elizabeth Catlett, Carrie Mae Weems, and many others.

Cameroonian artist Moses Salihou's  solo presentation showcases his BOND series at,Tanya Weddemire Gallery's debut at EXPO CHICAGO. Merging portraiture with abstraction, Salihou’s oil paintings feature richly textured surfaces that explore Black beauty, identity, and human connection.  Navy Pier, Festival Hall, 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611. Runs from April 24-27, 2025.

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Renowned contemporary artist Rashid Johnson presents a major solo exhibition featuring nearly 90 works, including paintings, sculptures, and installations. Johnson's art delves into themes of identity, race, and history, often incorporating materials like shea butter, black soap, and ceramic tiles to explore the complexities of the African American experience. 

 Barthélémy Toguo, an internationally acclaimed Cameroonian artist presents new works in his first solo exhibition in Japan.  The exhibition bridges African and Japanese cultural narratives through painting, sculpture, installation, and performance. Space Un, 1F KLO Minami Aoyama Building, 2-4-9 Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan 107-0062. Runs through June 29, 2025.

"Roots and Realism" showcases Lacroix's hyper-realistic oil paintings and charcoal portraits, capturing the vibrancy and essence of Haitian life during the 1970s and 1980s. The exhibition offers visitors an immersive experience into the rich cultural heritage of Haiti as seen through Lacroix's eyes.

In addition to the exhibition, an artist talk titled "An Intimate Chat with Haitian Artist Sophia Lacroix" was held on May 16, 2025, at the Ali Cultural Arts Center. During this event, attendees had the opportunity to engage with Lacroix as she shared personal insights about her life and artwork featured in the exhibition.

For those interested in experiencing Lacroix's evocative portrayal of Haitian culture and history, "Roots and Realism" remains open to the public until June 21, 2025. Visitors are encouraged to check the Ali Cultural Arts Center's official website or contact the center directly for more details on visiting hours and any associated events.

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This exhibition showcases ten of Julien’s most significant multi-screen installations created between 1999 and 2022, along with a selection of his earlier single-channel films. Spanning more than three decades, the show emphasizes Julien’s pioneering role in video art and his contributions to global conversations on identity, representation, and justice. It offers an immersive, non-linear cinematic experience in which viewers move physically through layered narratives and perspectives.

Amy Sherald: American Sublime presents over fifty paintings crafted by one of the most distinguished black artists in the 21st century. In her first solo exhibition with Whitney Museum of Art, Sherald’s paintings–often depicting notable and symbolic African-American figures such as the Obamas and Breonna Taylor–reflects a historically omitted side of black contemporary art, exploring the sublimity in the Black American identity.  Whitney Museum of American Art, 99 Gansevoort Street, New York, NY 10014. Runs April 9 through August 2025.

"Adam Pendleton: Love, Queen" is a landmark exhibition showcasing new and recent paintings alongside a single-channel video work.  This marks Pendleton's first solo exhibition in Washington, D.C., emphasizing his unique contributions to contemporary American painting within the context of the museum's architecture and the National Mall's history. ​ Hirshhorn Museum, Independence Ave SW & 7th St SW, Washington, D.C.​   Runs through January 3, 2027. 

A posthumous exhibition, The Knight, or Lancela Palm-and-Steel, honors Lorraine O’Grady’s expansive career. Spanning four decades, the show delves into her revolutionary conceptual practice and the personas she crafted to explore identity and cultural hybridity. Hirshhorn Museum, [insert address].  Runs through May 31, 2025.​

Sanford Biggers' Unsui (Cloud Forest) transforms Brown University's Sayles Hall into a luminous, immersive environment. Suspended LED cloud sculptures animate the historic space with shifting light, inviting contemplation on themes of impermanence and transcendence. Runs through  2025.

​"To Scatter Seeds" is a compelling group exhibition at TERN Gallery in Nassau, Bahamas, featuring works by Bahamian artists Cydne Jasmin Coleby, Kachelle Knowles, and Jodi Minnis. The exhibition delves into themes of generational differences, lineage, family, spirituality, and the diaspora. Runs from March 27 to May 17, 2025.​

The Whitney Museum of American Art presents Four Ways of Being, a newly commissioned installation by acclaimed portraitist Amy Sherald. Known for her signature grayscale skin tones and vibrant backdrops, Sherald’s work explores identity, history, and representation. This series of four portraits captures subjects across generations and backgrounds, offering a meditation on presence, individuality, and the coexistence of past, present, and future. Runs through September 2025.

 Jack Whitten: The Messenger is the first comprehensive retrospective of the visionary artist’s six-decade career. Featuring over 175 works—including paintings, sculptures, and works on paper—the exhibition traces Whitten’s groundbreaking contributions to abstraction and his exploration of race, history, and technology. Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), 11 West 53 Street, Manhattan, New York, 10019. Runs from March 23, 2025 to August 2, 2025.

Jack Whitten: The Messenger is the first comprehensive retrospective of the visionary artist’s six-decade career. Featuring over 175 works—including paintings, sculptures, and works on paper—the exhibition traces Whitten’s groundbreaking contributions to abstraction and his exploration of race, history, and technology..  Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), 11 West 53 Street, Manhattan, New York, 10019. Runs from March 23, 2025 to August 2, 2025

David Castillo Gallery presents A Tesseract, A Talisman, a new series of works by Sanford Biggers that expands his multidisciplinary approach to history, materiality, and transformation. This exhibition—his fifth solo show with the gallery—features an unprecedented combination of quilt-based tapestries and ceramic sculptures.  David Castillo Gallery, 3930 NE 2nd Avenue, Suite 201, Miami, FL, 33137. Runs from March 20 to June 14, 2025.

David Castillo Gallery presents A Tesseract, A Talisman, a new series of works by Sanford Biggers that expands his multidisciplinary approach to history, materiality, and transformation. This exhibition—his fifth solo show with the gallery—features an unprecedented combination of quilt-based tapestries and ceramic sculptures.  David Castillo Gallery, 3930 NE 2nd Avenue, Suite 201, Miami, FL, 33137. Runs from March 20 to June 14, 2025.

The Centre Pompidou presents Paris Noir, an exhibition highlighting the significant contributions of Black artists from Africa, the Americas, and the Caribbean in shaping modern and postmodern art in France from the 1950s to 2000. Featuring works by 150 artists, many of whom are being showcased in France for the first time, the exhibition explores themes of identity, resistance, and trans-cultural artistic expressions. Runs through June 30, 2025.

Curated by Georgie Sánchez alongside Stamatina Gregory, the exhibition features 19 artists exploring how colonial "pathogenic fictions" have shaped and controlled non-Western, Indigenous, queer, trans, and Black bodies—positioned land and bodies as sites of resistance and transformation

Curated by The 1897 Founder Sosa Omorogbe in line with International Women’s Month, this exhibition brings together six exceptional artists whose works delve into the profound interplay of materiality and colour as vehicles of radical transformation. Like alchemists, they transmute raw elements into powerful expressions of identity, heritage, and sanctuary.

Curated by Sosa Omorogbe, Founder of The 1897, in line with International Women’s Month, this exhibition brings together six exceptional artists whose works delve into the profound interplay of materiality and colour as vehicles of radical transformation. Like alchemists, they transmute raw elements into powerful expressions of identity, heritage, and sanctuary.

Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys features works by influential artists like Amy Sherald, Esther Mahlangu, and Nick Cave, celebrating their transformative contributions to art and culture. Showcasing the legacies of these iconic figures, the collection highlights their profound impact on the artistic canon and contemporary Black creatives. Minneapolis Institute of Art, 2400 Third Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55404

Manuel Mathieu: Pendulum features the eponymous Haitian-Canadian artist’s award-winning short film. The 11-minute film employs nonlinear storytelling and symbolic imagery to explore themes of freedom and the collective pursuit of liberation. It delves into the balance between historical legacy and an uncertain future, portraying a spiritual journey toward self-mastery and liberation. The exhibition will be at the Saint Louis Art Museum, One Fine Arts Drive, Forest Park, St. Louis, MO 63110.  Runs through November 30, 2025.

Fort Gansevoort presents "The Spiritual World of Haiti," a solo exhibition by renowned Haitian artist Myrlande Constant. The exhibition features her intricate hand-beaded and sequin-embroidered textiles, which reimagine the traditional drape Vodou art form. It showcases Constant's evolution from early graphic works like "Marinette Bois Chèche" to expansive pieces such as "Devosyon Makaya," reflecting her innovative narrative approach and technical mastery. 

Fort Gansevoort presents "The Spiritual World of Haiti," a solo exhibition by renowned Haitian artist Myrlande Constant. The exhibition features her intricate hand-beaded and sequin-embroidered textiles, which reimagine the traditional drape Vodou art form. It showcases Constant's evolution from early graphic works like "Marinette Bois Chèche" to expansive pieces such as "Devosyon Makaya," reflecting her innovative narrative approach and technical mastery.

Exploring memory, history, and the unseen, Ghost Images by Tyler Mitchell captures the haunting beauty of Georgia’s Jekyll and Cumberland Islands. Through veiled figures, layered compositions, and experimental printing on mirrors and fabric, Mitchell evokes the lingering presence of the past in contemporary Black life. His dreamlike photographs blur time and space, inviting viewers into a world where history remains palpable yet elusive. Gagosian (New York location), 541 West 24th Street, New York.  Runs through April 5, 2025

Lina Iris Viktor's "Red Season" exhibition showcases eight mixed-media works that delve into the intersections of time, culture, and human experience. Drawing on a diverse array of influences, including ancient symbols and motifs, Viktor's compositions are constructed from materials such as 24-karat gold, jute fiber, banana yarn, and silk. Salon 94 at 3 E 89th St, New York, NY, 10128. Runs through March 29, 2025.

The Annual Florida Highwaymen Exhibition is a highly anticipated gathering that celebrates the artistry, history, and cultural impact of the Florida Highwaymen. Known for their distinctive, vibrant landscapes of Florida’s natural scenery, this group of African American artists broke barriers in the 1950s and beyond, gaining recognition for their self-taught talents and entrepreneurial spirit. This exhibition brings together collectors, enthusiasts, and the artists themselves for a weekend honoring their contributions to Florida's art history.

it's a fine thing curated by Katherine Simóne Reynolds, explores the rich and often overlooked landscape of the Black Midwest, including the Rust Belt. Featuring works by artists such as Elizabeth Catlett, Kara Walker, Beauford Delaney, Betye Saar, Sonya Clark, LaToya Ruby Frazier, Mitchell Squire, Helen LaFrance, and Reynolds herself, the exhibition challenges conventional narratives and celebrates the resilience and creativity of Black Midwestern artists. Stanley Museum of Art, 160 West Burlington Street, Iowa City, IA 52242. Runs February 13, 2025 to July 20, 2025.

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Blending humor and cultural critique, Situation Comedy by Derrick Adams explores the nuances of Black joy and resilience through the lens of television sitcoms. With bold colors, faceted compositions, and fabric collages, Adams depicts figures engaged in leisure, subtly reflecting on the impact of pop culture on identity and perception. His works capture moments of both comedy and contemplation, highlighting the ways Black life is shaped and represented in mainstream media. Gagosian at 17–19 Davies Street, London W1K 3DE. Runs through March 29, 2025

This monumental exhibition showcases approximately 20 works by Angolan artist Nelo Teixeira, blending self-taught naïve art, Art Brut, and sociopolitical narratives. Utilizing discarded materials like cans, fabrics, and scrap metal, Teixeira's art critically examines Angola's human and social conditions, highlighting themes of precariousness, resilience, and memory. "THIS IS NOT A WHITE CUBE" Gallery, Rua da Emenda 72, 1200-169 Lisbon, Portugal. Runs through March 21, 2025

Bozar presents "When We See Us: A Century of Black Figuration in Painting," a landmark exhibition originally conceived by the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) in Cape Town. On view from February 7 through August 10, 2025, the exhibition showcases over 150 works by approximately 120 artists from Africa and its global diaspora. Organized into six thematic sections: The Everyday, Joy & Revelry, Repose, Sensuality, Spirituality, and Triumph and Emancipation, the exhibition offers a nuanced exploration of Black life and thought, emphasizing the resilience and political significance of Black joy.

 An Uncommon Thread showcases ten contemporary UK-based artists who challenge traditional materials and techniques to explore themes of memory, identity, and cultural storytelling. Through repurposed objects, adapted craft traditions, and innovative textures, the works in this exhibition weave together personal and collective narratives.  Hauser & Wirth (Somerset), Durslade Farm, Dropping Ln, Bruton BA10 0NL, United Kingdom. Runs through April 2, 2025.

An Uncommon Thread showcases ten contemporary UK-based artists who challenge traditional materials and techniques to explore themes of memory, identity, and cultural storytelling. Through repurposed objects, adapted craft traditions, and innovative textures, the works in this exhibition weave together personal and collective narratives.  Hauser & Wirth (Somerset), Durslade Farm, Dropping Ln, Bruton BA10 0NL, United Kingdom. Runs through April 2, 2025.

Miami-based artist T. Eliott Mansa presents "Mementos of the Sun," a profound exhibition born from four years of introspection and personal exploration. Utilizing materials such as stuffed animals, seashells, and acrylics, Mansa crafts assemblages that delve into themes of memory, loss, and cultural identity, reflecting on the complexities of the African diaspora experience.  Ongoing.

The Figge Art Museum presents "Myrlande Constant: DRAPO," a solo exhibition showcasing 17 of Constant's intricately crafted drapo, or Vodou flags, some spanning over seven feet. These vibrant, large-scale works depict Lwa—spirit entities central to Vodou beliefs—demonstrating Constant's innovative approach to this traditional Haitian art form.

The Figge Art Museum presents "Myrlande Constant: DRAPO," a solo exhibition showcasing 17 of Constant's intricately crafted drapo, or Vodou flags, some spanning over seven feet. These vibrant, large-scale works depict Lwa—spirit entities central to Vodou beliefs—demonstrating Constant's innovative approach to this traditional Haitian art form.

This solo exhibition honors the legacy of Purvis Young, showcasing rarely seen works from the collection of Martin Siskind, a close friend and long-time supporter of the artist. Young's art, deeply rooted in Miami's Overtown neighborhood, reflects themes of urban life, spirituality, and social justice. Pan American Art Projects, 274 NE 67th St, Miami, FL 33138. Runs through March 22, 2025

Renowned for his raw, expressive paintings on found materials, Purvis Young captured the struggles and spirit of Miami’s Overtown community. His works blend spirituality, social commentary, and historical memory, depicting themes of liberation, perseverance, and divine intervention. Zolla/Lieberman Gallery, 325 W Huron St, Chicago, IL 60654. Runs through March 30, 2025

The 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair returns to Marrakech, showcasing a curated selection of contemporary artworks by emerging and established artists from Africa and its diaspora. The fair will be held at two venues: La Mamounia, Avenue Bab Jdid, Marrakech 40040, Morocco, and DaDa, 2 Place Jemaa El Fna, Marrakech Medina 40000, Morocco. Public opening hours are Saturday, February 1, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and Sunday, February 2, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. 

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​The Ulrich Museum of Art at Wichita State University presents "Devan Shimoyama: Rituals," an immersive solo exhibition showcasing 25 mixed-media works that reimagine the Black American and queer experiences as fantastical and ornate, utilizing rich textures and decorative materials. Runs from January 23 to June 14, 2025.​

Overture is the latest exhibition showcasing new works by Philly native, Mark Thomas Gibson, that invite reflection on current events and envision systemic change for the common good. The showcase includes selections from Gibson's Town Crier series, five large-scale paintings, and his first hand-drawn animated film, accompanied by an original score by Emily Wells. Berman Museum of Art, 601 E. Main Street, Collegeville, PA 19426. Runs from January 23 to April 6, 2025. 

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Debra Cartwright’s Bodies of Water explores Black geographies and maternal histories through fluid, ethereal paintings that examine migration, selfhood, and ancestral resilience. Inspired by J.T. Roane’s concept of "Black radical spatial ecology," Cartwright reflects on how waterways in Virginia—where her maternal lineage originates—served as sites of survival, healing, and passage. Through layered washes of watercolor and intimate compositions, she traces connections between past and present, honoring the narratives of Black women across generations. Welancora Gallery at 33 Herkimer Street

Brooklyn, New York 11216. Runs through March 20, 2025

An Unmistakable Softness is a solo exhibition of new paintings by Jamaican visual artist Leasho Johnson. Created during a three-month residency in New Providence, this body of work explores the interplay of Johnson’s formulaic painting techniques and the tropical environment. Grounded in his signature aesthetics and textures, the collection features pieces from his ongoing "Anansi" and portrait series, reflecting the temporal effects of the Bahamian landscape on his artistic process. TERN Gallery, Mahogany Hill, Western Road, Nassau, The Bahamas. Runs from January 23rd to March 8, 2025.

​The Swiss Institute in New York presents "Close-Up," the first U.S. institutional exhibition by multidisciplinary artist Deborah-Joyce Holman.This exhibition features a single-channel film that intimately portrays a Black woman's engagement in everyday domestic activities, challenging traditional narratives of representation.Runs from January 22 to April 20, 2025.​

This group exhibition features nine interdisciplinary artists—Mirtha Dermisache, Noémie Goudal, Sky Hopinka, Anna Hulačová, Marguerite Humeau, Bronwyn Katz, Kat Lyons, Yukultji Napangati, and Emmanuel Van der Auwera—exploring the profound connection between beings and their environments. Through diverse mediums such as drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, installation, and film, the exhibition delves into themes of indigenous knowledge, ecological research, and the reimagining of our relationship with the living world. 

Agape, the latest solo exhibition by Ethiopian artist Tizta Berhanu, explores the transcendent and unconditional nature of divine love. The exhibition showcases Berhanu’s evocative oil paintings, known for their cool tones and swirling compositions. These works delve into emotional depths, fostering a universal sense of connection and compassion.  Addis Fine Art at Bole Atlas, NOAH Centrum Building, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Runs from January 3 to March 9, 2025.

"Imagining Black Diasporas: 21st-Century Art and Poetics" explores aesthetic connections among 60 artists from Africa, Europe, and the Americas, examining nearly 25 years of Black artistic production. Featuring approximately 70 works—including painting, sculpture, photography, works on paper, and time-based media—the exhibition is organized into four themes: speech and silence, movement and transformation, imagination, and representation. Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), 5905 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036. Runs through August 3, 2025. 

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Kingston Biennial will commemorate 50 years of highlighting Jamaica’s bustling art scene. Curated by Dr. Ashley James, known to be the first black curator at the Guggenheim and of Jamaican heritage, this year’s theme Green X Gold, observes the island’s environmental state, inspired by the national flag and history.  National Gallery of Jamaica, 12 Ocean Boulevard, Kingston, Jamaica, W.I. Opens December 15, 2024.

Renowned for her compelling portraits, Amy Sherald presents nearly 50 luminous paintings, including her iconic depictions of Michelle Obama and Breonna Taylor. Through her distinctive grayscale technique and vibrant backdrops, Sherald captures the quiet power of everyday individuals, challenging conventional narratives of American identity. Runs through March 9, 2025.

Blending spirituality, colonial history, and personal memory, Brazilian artist Antonio Obá explores Afro-Brazilian identity through evocative paintings and sculptures. His work challenges historical narratives, reinterpreting religious iconography and cultural symbolism to reflect on power, resistance, and the body as a site of transformation. Centre d’Art Contemporain Genève, Rue des Vieux-Grenadiers 10, 1205 Genève, Switzerland. Runs through February 16th, 2025

Rotimi Fani-Kayode celebrates the life and legacy of one of the most influential Nigerian photographers in the 20th century. The exhibition will unveil new photographs from Kayode’s short, but esteemed career, exploring themes of black queer self-expression and the performative aspects of identity. Autograph, Rivington Place, London. 

West Africa’s largest international art fair returns for its ninth edition in the Nigerian metropolis of Lagos. This year’s fair follows the theme “Promised Lands” where artists envision a future where Africa and the African Diaspora fulfill their aspirations to their hearts’ content. The Federal Palace, 6-8 Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria. Runs from October 31 through November 3, 2024.

Exploring the intersection of memory, history, and erasure, multidisciplinary artist Crystal Z Campbell presents Currents 124, a thought-provoking exhibition that interrogates the limits of historical archives. Through film, painting, and found objects, Campbell reclaims overlooked narratives, particularly those tied to Black and Indigenous histories, challenging viewers to reconsider what is remembered and forgotten. Saint Louis Art Museum (SLAM), 1 Fine Arts Dr, St. Louis, MO 63110. Runs through May 5, 2025

"Wish This Was Real" by Tyler Mitchell extends its’ stay in Europe into 2025 with a new showing in Finland’s capital. The exhibition showcases Mitchell’s decade-long photography work highlighting Black life through themes of beauty, identity, and community. The Finnish Museum of Photography

Kaapelitehdas, Kaapeliaukio 3, 00180 Helsinki, Finland. Runs through February 23rd, 2025.

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A touring exhibition, Mickalene Thomas: All About Love showcases over 80 pieces by the legendary artist, delving into themes of love, identity, and empowerment through her vibrant mixed-media paintings, collages, and photography, offering a profound exploration of the human experience. Barnes Foundation, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19130. Runs through January 12, 2025

"Determined to Be: The Sculpture of John Rhoden" showcases approximately fifty sculptures by Birmingham-born artist John Rhoden (1916–2001), highlighting his mastery of bronze, wood, and stone. Rhoden's work reflects his extensive world travels and a unique sculptural sensibility ahead of its time. Birmingham Museum of Art, 2000 Reverend 

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Abraham Woods Jr. Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35203. Runs through April 20, 2025. 

"Narrative Wisdom and African Arts" explores how historical and contemporary African arts make visible narratives rooted in collective and individual memory and knowledge. Featuring over 150 works—including sculptures, textiles, paintings, photographs, and time-based media—the exhibition places historical pieces from the 13th to 20th centuries in conversation with contemporary works by African artists worldwide. Saint Louis Art Museum, 1 Fine Arts Drive, Forest Park, St. Louis, MO 63110. Runs through February 16, 2025.

This year’s Art Basel Paris will take place at The Grand Palais in the heart of the city. Featuring a diverse ensemble of artists and institutions from every corner of the world–including first-time participants–this two-day event will be filled with lively activity for all art enthusiasts. Grand Palais des Champs-Élysées, 75008 Paris, France. Runs through October 20, 2024.

Entangled is Bevlery Mciver’s first solo exhibition with Berry Campbell Gallery, showcasing 18 new paintings, mostly self-portraits. Mciver’s latest collection reflects her artistic journey, garnering inspiration from friends, family and even her mentors–Faith Ringgold and Philip Pearlstein. Berry Campbell, 524 West 26th Street, New York, NY 10001. Runs through November 16th, 2024.

"Lineage" is the public exhibition of the well-esteemed Mark Thomas Gibson. Examining the “future of humanity” as proposed by Samuel Jennings’ 1792 painting Liberty Displaying the Arts and Sciences, Gibson's’ work initiates a conversation amongst viewers–how do we perceive history and what’s beyond those perceptions?  The Library Company of Philadelphia, 1314 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Runs from October 15, 2024 to January 17, 2025.

The 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair returns to Somerset House in London. Gathering over 60 international exhibitors from 23 countries and works from more than 160 artists, the fair will feature renowned and emerging talents across various mediums. Special curated events and a rich VIP and Public Programme will accompany the fair, bringing together global perspectives on contemporary African art.

The Geography of Feelings is Tiffanie Delune’s debut  at Gallery 157 in London. In an assortment of multicolored mixed  paintings and textiles, the French Belgo-Congolese artist showcases her interest in creating an utopia inspired by  spirituality, geometry, anatomy, animism and astrology.  Gallery 1957 (London), 1 Hyde Park Gate, London, SW7 5EW. Runs through November 21, 2024.

The 200th annual Brooklyn Artists Exhibition gathers over 200 of the borough’s most remarkable talents for a celebration of a lifetime. Curated by prominent faces in the art world– Jeffrey Gibson, Vik Muniz, Mickalene Thomas, and Fred Tomaselli–the show underscores Brooklyn's creative spirit and diversity, honoring artists who have lived or worked in the borough from 2019 to 2024, highlighting themes of identity, migration, and community resilience. 

Umseme Uyakhuluma: A Celestial Conversation is the first solo worldview collection of the eponymous all-female collective, depicting a tale of two women responding to a spiritual request between them, their bloodline and their land. Using vivid colors like blue, amber, and red to symbolize spiritual transformation, the work invokes Ndebele culture, merging past traditions with present healing practices for future generations.

Toward Joy: New Frameworks for American Art is a transformative reinstallation of the Brooklyn Museum’s American Art galleries, launching for the museum’s 200th anniversary. Centering Black feminist and BIPOC perspectives, the exhibition includes over 400 works presented in innovative fashion, the display highlights both historic and contemporary pieces, aiming to reframe American art through a joyful, inclusive lens.

Luzia is Paulo Nazareth’s first solo exhibition in Mexico. The Afro-Brazilian artist, whose work embodies a variety of art mediums, dedicates his ‘behavior art’ to the eponymous Luzia–the Palileo-era Amerindian woman found in Brazil believed to part of the first wave of nomadic peoples that migrated to South America over several millenniums ago.  Museo Rufino Tamayo, 11580 Ciudad de México, CDMX, México. Runs through February 5, 2025.

An Awkward Relation is the latest exhibition of well-known black British artist, Sonia Boyce.  Drawing inspiration from the late Brazilian artist, Lygia Clark’s exhibitions, Boyce explores cultural signifiers like hair, questioning artistic authorship and identity. Boyce, a prominent figure in the British Black Arts Movement, continues her legacy of social practice, emphasizing collaboration and improvisation.   

Basquiat × Banksy commemorates the works of two influential figures in contemporary art–the evocative Jean-Michel Basquiat and the elusive Banksy. Basquiat’s Boy and Dog in a Johnnypump (1982) and Banksy’s Banksquiat. Boy and Dog in Stop and Search (2018) explore street art’s influence on contemporary art. The exhibition also includes 20 small Basquiat works from 1979-1985, showcasing his engagement with art history and iconic motifs. This show is part of Hirshhorn's 50th-anniversary celebration. 

Columnar Disorder is Germane Barnes’ first solo exhibition, exploring the intersection of identity and architecture; reimagining the classical orders—the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian—through the lens of the African diaspora. His project, centered on the design of three new columns—Identity, Labor, and Migration—examines themes like Black beauty, slavery's economic impact, and the memory of African migrations.

WHERE WE COALESCE is a solo exhibition by Ethiopian artist Tadesse Mesfin. Renowned for his signature elongated figures, Mesfin continues his celebration of Ethiopian women’s strength, community, and resilience. His vibrant, color-blocked compositions highlight the elegance and dignity of women in market scenes, capturing both cultural tradition and a contemporary sense of unity. 

signifying the impossible song is a group exhibition gathering 17 multi-talented artists of the African Diaspora. Curated by Lindsey Raymond and Jana Terblanche, the show explores themes of material culture, political systems, and collective memory. The exhibition probes the tensions between integration and displacement, while addressing issues like inequality, ecological ruin, and the commodification of identity. 

Promised Land is Lavar Munroe’s tenth solo exhibition with the Larkin Durey Gallery. Munroe’s art, deeply influenced by his travels across Africa, explores storytelling, community, and tradition. His recent works focus on the power of processions and parades, blending sensory elements like music, movement, and cultural materials. Munroe combines diverse materials—glass, feathers, and acrylics—to evoke rich, layered experiences.

Color and Grit: The New Frontier of Black Abstraction is a solo exhibition by self-taught and North Carolina-raised artist, Clarence Thomas. The collection boasts of expressive oil paintings surrounding the hidden histories of black cowboys and western aesthetics.

The Atlantic is Black is René Tavares’ first exhibition in Berlin, Germany. Inspired by his São Toméan background, Tavares’ work pays homage to the ‘Black Atlantic’, a concept that describes the Transatlantic Slave Trade and migration patterns that resulted in the African diaspora.  ARTCO Galerie Berlin, Frobenstraße 1, 10783 Berlin, Germany. Runs through November 2rd, 2024.

Great Rivers Biennial, showcases the works of three emerging St. Louis-based artists: Saj Issa, Basil Kincaid, and Ronald Young. This exhibition highlights diverse artistic practices, from mixed media installations to immersive environments, exploring themes of identity, community, and cultural history. 

The Mythic Age by Brooklyn-based Naudline Pierre at James Cohan Gallery showcases new paintings and sculptural interventions centered on transformation and evolution. Inspired by Baroque and 19th-century French academic art, Pierre creates ethereal worlds filled with mysterious figures, focusing on personal and radical self-expression. Her technique blends dry brushing with fluid, aqueous strokes to evoke a dreamlike atmosphere. 

In Jubilant Pastures, Ghanaian-born artist Conrad Egyir presents eleven new bodies of art revolving around themes of identity and belonging. Known for his Pop-Art influences and polychromatic palette, Egyir’s subjects evoke empathy, spirituality, and the tension between past and future, capturing the complex journey of displacement.

Ongoin’ is the latest collection of acclaimed sculptor and New York native, Nari Ward, as well as his second exhibition in Seoul. Featuring an assemblage of copper panel works, Ward draws inspiration from his Harlem background,  reflecting on community healing, spiritual rituals, and social realities. 

SUMMER SUMMER showcases the vibrant and dynamic works of Leonardo Benzant, Ronald Cyrille, and Steven Schmid, exploring abstract figuration within Caribbean art. Through their distinctive styles, the artists capture the interplay between the familiar and the fantastical, inviting viewers to experience the richness and diversity of their cultural narratives.

"WE ARE BRIEFLY GORGEOUS", is the latest collection by Nigerian-British painter Joy Labinjo in commemoration of Southwark Park Galleries’ 40th anniversary. The collection draws influences from Labinjo’s daily life, from visits to the park and precious memories from family events, as well as combining the fruitful sentiments of community through the lenses of blackness, power and cultural identity.

Deadweight, by London-based sculptor, Dominique White, is a dream manifested into reality. As the seventh winner of the Max Mara Art Prize for Women, White explores themes of migration and identity through sculptures and ceramics influenced by seafaring mythologies. The installation reflects on the Atlantic's complex history, blending elements of loss, transformation, and Black diasporic narratives.

"INTLOMBE", is a solo exhibition by Simphiwe Mbunyuza, featuring new ceramic sculptures that honor the rituals and landscapes of the Xhosa people from the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Drawing inspiration from traditional ceremonies and regional iconography, Mbunyuza's richly decorated sculptures and vessels utilize color, texture, and form to create a profound connection between cultural heritage and contemporary artistry. 

Renowned artist and filmmaker Arthur Jafa presents a compelling exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, showcasing a decade of his multidisciplinary work. Through films, videos, photographs, and sculptures, Jafa captures the intricate beauty and complexity of Black life. He utilizes found imagery, music, and techniques like montage and collage to construct layered narratives that challenge and redefine visual culture. Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago (MCA),  220 E Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611. Runs through May 11, 2025

When Home Won’t Let You Stay is Nahom Teklehaimanot’s first solo exhibition at Addis Fine Art, Addis Ababa. Inspired by his upbringing, Teklehaimanot’s latest collection is an assemblage of images depicting the saddening reality of migration, leaving behind the home you’ve grown to love. Through gray airy brush strokes and mismash of magazine photos, the collection offers an oxymoronic viewpoint of ‘Home is Where the Heart Is’.

Away with the Tides, showcases only the best of Calida Rawles’ exemplary works. Known for her hyperrealistic art style, consolidated with cultural iconography of water, Rawles’ work is a love letter to the residents of the Historic Overtown–a predominantly black community in South Florida with a remarkable history and cultural magnitude.