From Artifact to Agency: Inside The Met’s New Chapter for African Art
On May 31, 2025, New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) reopened its Arts of Africa galleries with a celebration that felt less like a formal unveiling and more like a long-awaited homecoming. The newly redesigned space, part of the Michael C. Rockefeller Wing, brought together artists, curators, collectors, and cultural leaders from across […]
Inside the Textile Language Installation by Art Comes First at 1-54 Art Fair
The 2025 Met Gala may have come to a close, but the conversation it sparked around Tailoring Black Style is far from over. In fact, it feels less like an ending and more like a new beginning—an extension of a dialogue that continues to reshape how we perceive style, identity, and heritage. As history has […]
The Enduring Power of the Drianké in Senegalese Culture and Art
In Senegal, particularly in the lively streets of Dakar, there is a woman whose presence commands respect and admiration. She is the “Drianké“. More than a symbol of beauty, she embodies wisdom, resilience, and leadership. Her influence stretches far beyond her carefully curated attire and radiant presence; she is the weaver of traditions, the keeper […]
Meet Kwabena Ofe: The Ghanaian Textile Maverick Redefining Art and Identity
Kwabena Ofe Amponsah Gideon is a 23-year-old Ghanaian textile artist who began his creative journey as a fashion model before transitioning into the world of art particularly in the craft of rug making. Using sack linen as his canvas, he combines traditional techniques like batik and tie-dye with contemporary wool work to create pieces that […]