The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art has announced “Here: Pride and Belonging in African Art,” an exhibition opening January 23 through August 23, 2026. Featuring nearly 60 works by LGBTQ+ artists from Africa and its diaspora—including Zanele Muholi, Toyin Ojih Odutola, Rotimi Fani-Kayode, Leilah Babirye, Jim Chuchu, and Ṣọlá Olúlòde—the show spans painting, photography, sculpture, installation, video, and digital art. Co-curated by Serubiri Moses and Kevin D. Dumouchelle, the exhibition is built on years of dialogue with artists and communities, centering their voices and lived experiences.
This exhibition matters because it is the largest museum presentation to date on LGBTQ+ African artists, asserting their integral place in African art history. By foregrounding themes of identity, belonging, family, and joy, “Here” challenges underrepresentation and expands the narrative of contemporary African art. The collaborative curatorial approach and accompanying publication from Smithsonian Books underscore the museum’s commitment to fostering cross-cultural understanding and elevating historically marginalized perspectives.