MoMA Exhibition Explores African Portraiture's Political Power from Mid-20th Century to Present

From December 14, 2025, to July 26, 2026, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York will host 'Ideas of Africa: Portraiture and Political Imagination.' Curated by Oluremi C. Onabanjo, this exhibition delves into the influence of mid-20th century photographic portraiture on identity and political awareness in Africa and its diaspora. Notable photographers such as Seydou Keïta, Malick Sidibé, Jean Depara, Sanlé Sory, and Ambroise Ngaimoko reflect post-independence hope. The show also emphasizes transnational ties through the works of James Barnor and Kwame Brathwaite. Contemporary artists like Samuel Fosso, Silvia Rosi, and Njideka Akunyili Crosby address themes of migration and memory. Archival materials from the Air Afrique collective and an audio guide enhance the experience, showcasing photography as a means of identity and activism.