Ibraaz Opens London Cultural Space with Ibrahim Mahama Exhibition
Ibraaz will open a new cultural space in London on 3 October 2025, housed in a historic Grade II-listed building at 93 Mortimer Street. The initiative expands the Kamel Lazaar Foundation's online literary platform launched in 2011, which focuses on artistic voices from the MENA region. Architect Sumayya Vally redesigned the headquarters with an evolving architectural spirit inspired by London's diasporic gathering spaces. Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama will present the inaugural exhibition, Parliament of Ghosts, a site-specific installation exploring post-independence Ghana through repurposed colonial furniture, jute sacks, and newly constructed items. The Otolith Collective will serve as the first library-in-residence alongside a bookshop and café. Ibraaz founder Lina Lazaar, also vice president of the Kamel Lazaar Foundation, stated the ambition is to build a global platform that creates brave spaces addressing contemporary issues and envisioning futures. The space will host year-round exhibitions and events dedicated to showcasing art and culture from what Ibraaz calls the 'Global Majority,' with hospitality and cross-border conversation at its core.
Key facts
- Ibraaz opens a new cultural space in London on 3 October 2025
- The space is located at 93 Mortimer Street in a Grade II-listed building
- Architect Sumayya Vally redesigned the headquarters
- Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama presents the inaugural exhibition Parliament of Ghosts
- The Otolith Collective is the first library-in-residence
- Ibraaz is an initiative of the Kamel Lazaar Foundation
- The online platform launched in 2011 focuses on MENA region voices
- Founder Lina Lazaar aims to create a brave space for cultural experiences
Entities
Artists
- Ibrahim Mahama
- Sumayya Vally
- Lina Lazaar
- Hrair Sarkissian
- Gabrielle Goliath
- Joe Namy
- Adam Rouhana
- Adam Broomberg
- Ahmad Al-Bazz
- Syd Shelton
- Stephen Shames
- Rasha Salti
- Kristine Khouri
- Muhannad Hariri
- Al Hassan Elwan
- Günseli Yalcinkaya
- Boutheina Ben Salem
- Louise Oram
- Hammad Nasar
- Ipeleng Christine Moholane
- Heba Abunada
- Vipul Sangoi
- Ollie Hammick
Institutions
- Ibraaz
- Kamel Lazaar Foundation
- Otolith Collective
- The Otolith Group
- Palestine Festival of Literature
- Burley Fisher Books
- Henry Moore Foundation
- Hayward Gallery
- South African Pavilion
- Venice Biennale
- Jaou Tunis
- Raqqa Museum
- Islamic State
- 1854 Photography
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- Ghana
- MENA region
- Oxford Street
- 93 Mortimer Street
- Raqqa
- Syria
- Gaza
- Palestine
- Israel
- Venice
- Italy
- Tunis
- Tunisia