ABIDJAN.- Galerie Farah Fakhri is now open in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Dedicated to artists from the African continent and the diaspora, the gallery programme showcases contemporary art across painting, sculpture, textile, and mixed media installations. The gallery’s inaugural exhibition 'Dreams' spotlights Ugandan artist Collin Sekajugo.

Collin Sekajugo
'Dreams'
Until January 2024

Placing the question of cultural identity at the heart of his work, Sekajugo invites viewers to engage with the familiar. Presented in the gallery are XX figurative collages produced using found and locally sourced objects, offering commentary on contemporary consumer culture. Sekajugo delves into the complexities of assimilating into a dominant culture while simultaneously highlighting the ambiguity of cultural identity, which often leads to internal conflicts.

Through his work, the artist challenges preconceptions about belonging, migration, and multiculturalism. Those who engage with his exhibitions are encouraged to contemplate their own identities. Sekajugo employs vivid colors and precise lines, utilizing techniques of superposition and assemblage. In his creations, he skillfully integrates culturally significant materials of Ugandan origin, such as bark cloth, fabrics, and found objects. These materials symbolize art's capacity to interlace disparate elements into a harmonious whole.

Sekajugo's practice also draws from history, particularly African history and its diaspora. His works are infused with historical references that bring to light both the wounds and triumphs of African history. He underscores the importance of acknowledging and preserving collective memory among the public. Sekajugo keenly observes the symbols of a globalized ruling class, painting a portrait of a society that holds not only influence but, above all, globalization.

Sekajugo encourages us to reflect upon our own identity and to acknowledge the profound connections that bind us as human beings.

Galerie Farah Fakhri
Abidjan, Ivory Coast




Farah Fakhri, the African Art Specialist behind the eponymous gallery, shares her excitement about the launch, «Ivory Coast is a country with a rich cultural heritage, our goal is to create a space that inspires dialogue of African Artists, bridging the gap between cultures and fostering a sense of unity. »

In conjunction with the exhibition programme, GALERIE FARAH FAKHRI will host residency programmes, inviting artists from the continent and the African diaspora to immerse themselves in the vibrant artistic community of Ivory Coast. Providing a springboard for the development of their artistic practice through substantial research opportunities, the residency will result in the creation of a new body of work that will be presented at the gallery. By positioning local artists, and artists of the African continent in dialogue with international audiences and creatives, Fakhri’s ambition for the gallery is to expand beyond its walls and extend to offsite projects where established artists are presented alongside the most vanguard practices.

Fakhri elaborates: «When I founded my residency programme in January 2023 it was to provide the foundations of an infrastructure that encouraged ongoing dialogue between artists from the continent with artists from the diaspora. It has been a long-term ambition of mine to open a space that showcases contemporary art from Africa, and my hopes are that it grows to become a cultural hub for creative discussion, networking, and artistic support within Africa and the international community.»

The gallery aims to provide a platform to foster cultural exchange through residency and educational programs and to serve as a vibrant hub for artists, collectors, and art enthusiasts.

Collin Sekajugo

Collin Sekajugo lives and works in Kampala, Uganda. In 2022 his work was showcased in the inaugural and award-winning Uganda National Pavilion at the 59th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia. Sekajugo's personal journey as a refugee, escaping the Rwandan civil war, profoundly shapes his artistry. This experience serves as a pivotal influence, driving him to investigate how art can transcend geographical, cultural, and political boundaries. Placing the question of cultural identity at the heart of his work, Sekajugo’s innovative approach to his practice has garnered international acclaim. Inviting audiences to engage with the familiar, his figurative collages are produced using found and locally sourced objects, offering commentary on contemporary consumer culture.

Farah Fakhri

Born and raised in the Ivorian capital, Farah Fakhri is the founder and director of GALERIE FARAH FAKHRI . She has been a long-time collector of African art, dedicated to supporting artists from the continent and the African diaspora.

Farah Fakhri first developed a passion for contemporary art while working for CHANEL, where all operations and events were connected with various artistic practices. She had the chance to participate in the organisation of exhibitions at museums like the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris; the Dongdaemun History Museum in Seoul; and the Ca’ Pesaro museum in Venice.

After spending years living and working in Dubai, and later graduating from the École du Louvre (Paris) and Christie’s Education (London), Fakhri returned to her native Abidjan in 2019, where she began building a family art collection. While doing so, she organised exhibitions, residencies, visits to artist studios, also hosting them, transforming her personal space into a platform of encounter and connection.

Fakhri’s deep connection to the African continent is not only through her place of birth but also a true passion for the creativity in the region. She returned to the Ivory Coast with a new energy and genuine aspiration to make a meaningful contribution to the arts and support her country’s emerging scene. Surrounded by artists that drive her passion is what resonates most with the founder. The gallery opens as a safe space for practices highlighting emotions, feelings and challenges, as well as further understanding of the environment in which we live today.