Here: Pride and Belonging in African Art
Here: Pride and Belonging in African Art is an exhibition at the National Museum of African Art that centers LGBTQ+ artists from Africa and its diaspora, presenting their work as an integral and joyful part of African art history. The show is built on years of close collaboration and dialogue with these artists and their communities, and it emphasizes their personal voices. With nearly 60 artworks—by artists including Zanele Muholi, Toyin Ojih Odutola, Rotimi Fani-Kayode, Leilah Babirye, Jim Chuchu, and Ṣọlá Olúlòde—the exhibition explores themes of identity, belonging, family, spirit, resilience, intimacy, and joy. The unifying declaration behind the show is a simple, shared statement: “We are here.” One highlighted piece is Sola Olulode’s “Stitched to You,” a mixed-media painting on canvas using oil, acrylic, thread, indigo, batik, and oil pastel, measuring 177.8 × 149.9 cm (70 × 59 in.). This is the largest exhibition on this subject to date.
Name: Here: Pride and Belonging in African Art
Venue: National Museum of African Art, located at 950 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC
When: January 23, 2026 – August 23, 2026; open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., closed December 25
Tickets: Free, no passes needed
Lineup (selected artists): Zanele Muholi, Toyin Ojih Odutola, Rotimi Fani-Kayode, Leilah Babirye, Jim Chuchu, Ṣọlá Olúlòde, and many other LGBTQ+ artists from across Africa and its diaspora
Number of artworks: Nearly 60 works
Theme: The exhibition challenges homophobia and bigotry by foregrounding LGBTQ+ African artists’ experiences, while emphasizing universal themes of family, spirit, standing up for oneself, imagining the future, making intimate connections, finding belonging, embracing potential, and experiencing joy
Note: The museum’s floor plan can be downloaded as a PDF; visitors are encouraged to add the exhibition to their My Visit itinerary
Accessibility: The museum is accessible; please check Smithsonian Accessibility resources for specific accommodations