#United States #Los Angeles #Africa Curated #Thabiso Dakamela #Yokanna

Africa Curated's Inaugural Event: The Weight of Holding

On June 3, 2026, Africa Curated launched its first exhibition titled Chapter 1: The Weight of Holding in downtown Los Angeles. This exciting event, aimed at showcasing contemporary African artistry, was founded by curator duo Roslidah Okoth and Branislav Petrovic. The platform is committed to establishing long-lasting cultural and market frameworks for African artists in the United States.

Roslidah Okoth emphasized, "Africa Curated is building the future of their visibility in the United States, one intentional relationship at a time, and long-term cultural stewardship." This exhibition represents the initial step in this creative journey.

The Concept Behind Chapter 1

The focal point of Chapter 1 is the exploration of contemporary figuration through the lens of internal experience and societal pressures, posing the critical question: What does it cost to be seen fully, without performance? The exhibition features the profound works of Zimbabwe-born, Johannesburg-based artist Thabiso Dakamela. His paintings express psychological states through layered materials and a carefully controlled tonal structure.

Dakamela remarked, "Painting, for me, is an act of witnessing. These figures are not performing. They exist in the weight of their own presence, and I want that presence to be felt without interruption. I want the viewer to feel the cost of that stillness and to recognize something of themselves within it."

Contrasting Styles

In contrast, Yokanna, an artist from Uganda, disrupts surfaces through abrasion and layered reconstruction. His unique approach challenges the viewer's perception, transforming the image into an ongoing narrative shaped by revision and material tension.

Yokanna states, "The surface is never resolved. It holds its own history. Each mark is a decision, and each removal is part of how the figure comes into being." This interplay between Dakamela’s themes of internal weight and Yokanna’s elemental disturbance creates a dynamic conversation between stability and chaos.

The Future of African Arts in the U.S.

Despite the increasing representation of African artists at international exhibitions and auctions, many still face brief and fragmented introductions to American audiences. Africa Curated seeks to address this issue by providing a more consistent and dedicated platform. The initiative operates nomadically across select cities, focusing on structured presentations, responsible market development, and cultivating long-term relationships among artists, collectors, and institutions.

Selected works from the exhibition will be available for private purchase, with additional details to be publicly announced shortly. Collectors, curators, and art enthusiasts interested in acquiring pieces from this exhibition can find information on their website: africacurated.art/collectors.

About Africa Curated

Africa Curated is a curator-led initiative that travels to various cities to build long-term cultural and market frameworks for contemporary African artists in the U.S. By prioritizing organized spatial sequencing, honest pricing, and strategic alignment with collectors, Africa Curated aims to enhance the institutional visibility of artists in a sustainable manner. By engaging in structured collaboration, they create cumulative exhibition programs that bolster long-term cultural positioning and archival presence.

For more information about Africa Curated and its upcoming events, please visit africacurated.art.