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What began as a temporary pavilion showcasing a selection of Africa’s compelling modern and contemporary artists has, in just four years, evolved into the formidable force that is Efie Gallery. Under the stewardship of the Mintah family – Valentina, Kwame and Kobi – the gallery has carved a distinctive presence in the region’s cultural landscape. Its latest and most ambitious chapter unfolds with the unveiling of a new gallery space in Dubai’s Alserkal Avenue, cementing its commitment to both community and cross-cultural dialogue.
Spanning more than 400 square metres across two levels, the gallery opened with I Am Soil. My Tears Are Water, a solo exhibition by acclaimed Afro-Cuban artist María Magdalena Campos-Pons, curated by Faridah Folawiyo. The artist’s new body of work draws inspiration from flora native to Latin America, Africa and the Middle East – from hibiscus and sugar cane to guava leaves — exploring nature, spirituality, and the interconnectedness of diverse cultures and geographies; the latter being a theme central to Efie Gallery’s curatorial approach.
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“Campos-Pons’ work is deeply poetic and intellectually layered, rooted in Afro-Caribbean histories, ancestral memory, and the embodied experience of Black femininity,” explains co-founder and director Kwame Mintah. “To see an artist from Cuba celebrated in an African context felt right on every level. It’s an offering that sets the tone for the kind of conversations we want to have – lyrical, bold, and expansive.”
The architectural language of the new gallery reflects this ambition. Designed in close collaboration with Dubai-based architect Suhaira Yousif, the space was conceived to host not only traditional works such as painting, photography, and small-scale sculpture, but also immersive installations of significant scale – a key consideration in the gallery’s evolving curatorial programme.
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“Efie Gallery has always been a space for artistic voices, but this new chapter marks a deeper articulation of our purpose,” Mintah shares. “It is a reaffirmation of our mission: to create a space where Africa is placed in dynamic conversation with the Middle East and the broader global context.”
Echoing Alserkal Avenue’s industrial setting, the gallery’s material palette is understated yet purposeful. Concrete floors and soaring nine-metre ceilings lend a sense of openness and possibility, while the overall design remains firmly tethered to a deeper, cultural narrative.
“Both African and Middle Eastern cultures share a profound respect for heritage while remaining forward-looking, and we wanted the gallery to embody that balance,” Mintah explains. “We wanted to create a space that felt communal and inviting, inspired by African traditions of gathering, while still aligning with the rhythm of a contemporary gallery.”
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In the Rekord Gallery, tucked away in the back of the gallery, low ceilings and ambient lighting lend the room the atmosphere of a listening lounge or speakeasy, where walls lined with original vinyl records and a curated selection of books from across the continent – assembled in partnership with independent library Bootleg Griot – invite visitors to linger. The adjoining café extends this invitation, positioning the gallery as a place to dwell rather than simply pass through.
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“Art doesn’t live in a vacuum,” says Mintah. “Music and literature are essential to how we understand culture, especially in African contexts where creative practices are deeply intertwined. There’s something about music in particular that puts people at ease. It feels familiar and accessible in a way that invites people in. By working across disciplines, we’ve been able to break down barriers and open up the gallery to wider audiences. It’s a way of expanding how people connect with art.”
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Upstairs are private viewing rooms and offices, which allow for deeper conversations with collectors, curators, and artists. “Like the UAE itself, our collector base is incredibly diverse,” Mintah shares. “We work with collectors and institutions from around the world and celebrate the growing global interest in African art. At the same time, it’s important that Africans remain central in shaping the future of the market. It’s about balance and thoughtful stewardship.”
I Am Soil. My Tears Are Water is on show at Efie Gallery in Alserkal Avenue until 24 May 2025.
