The “Mother of Mankind” exhibition, curated by Adora Mba, director of ADA \ Contemporary Art Gallery, will be on display in two different galleries in two different global cities and is the first of its kind. Artists Emma Prempeh, Jamilla Okubo, and Adebunmi Gbadebo appear alongside peers from Nigeria, Canada, the UK, South Africa, Ghana, the US, and France touching on such themes as identity, gender, family, society, sexuality, empowerment, and consumerism, from the female gaze.

There lies great power in presenting the unique viewpoints of Cinthia Sifa Mulanga, Damilola Marcus, Dimakatso Mathopa, Marcellina Akpojotor, and other emerging artists on the aforementioned. The diverse array of disciplines and perspectives on display not only make for a show rich in colour, lighting contrasts, and styles of portraiture that invites cross-continental viewers to converse about Black femininity. The Black woman, the central figure of the works, is shown in a space somewhere between realist and abstract realms and comprises varying forms and textures.

“Mother of Mankind” is an unconventional, powerful visual narrative by women from Africa and its diaspora. Mba explains: “At a time when singular voices demonstrate their strength when united, I feel privileged to showcase the works of these remarkably talented artists in one of the cities I call home. The women presented in this show are in the early days of their artistic careers, yet already making waves and drawing attention amidst an industry which tends to be more supportive of their male counterparts. In working with ADA, HOFA is lending us a space for their, for our, voices to be heard; our stories to be told; our creative spirits to conceive, unbound, forging our own narratives. Beyond being artists that I personally admire, these women are my sisters, my kin from across the globe.” 

Mba has intentionally shined a light on female contemporary artists who aren’t always afforded the same attention their male counterparts receive. The artists in this exhibition serve as a sisterhood intent on defining the multiple facets of the often marginalised Black woman. In recent years, we’ve seen the emergence of young, female artists shifting the gaze of the art world. Though not always purposefully, women are serving as activists in a push to be both seen and heard. These women’s works are saying: “Representation matters.” 

Elio D’Anna, co-founder and director of HOFA, continues: “This exhibition is the first of its kind at HOFA Gallery, and we are honored to showcase powerful and norm-defying visual narratives of Black femininity as told by Black female artists. Brought together through the lens of a Black female curator, Mother of Mankind engages boldly and critically with international events and discussions over the past few months, making it a particularly relevant, momentous exhibition in London this year.”

View works from “Mother of Mankind” below. The exhibition will be on view from July 22 through August 31.