New Roots for Efie Gallery

Efie Gallery inaugurated a new two-storey, 409-square metre space in Alserkal Avenue in April with a monumental regional debut solo exhibition by internationally acclaimed Cuban artist María Magdalena Campos-Pons. “This expansion is more than just a new space – it’s a statement of our commitment to creating deeper artistic exchanges,” says Kwame Mintah, co-founder and director of Efie Gallery. “Alserkal Avenue provides the perfect environment for us to push boundaries, presenting ambitious exhibitions that challenge and inspire.” The relocation underscores Efie Gallery’s commitment to representing and advancing artists of African origin both from the continent and its global diaspora, while fostering cross-cultural artistic dialogue in the Middle East and beyond.

Following an extensive renovation led by the Mintah family in collaboration with architect Suhaira Yousif, the new two-storey space is designed to host immersive, large-scale installations while reflecting the gallery’s identity. A textured blend of concrete, steel and wood defines the architecture, with a Barrisol Light ceiling in the main exhibition hall. The ground floor spans almost 140 square metres, with 2.8-metre-high ceilings, letting the pieces become protagonists of the space. 

Efie Gallery’s signature fusion of visual art and music continues with the expanded Rekord Gallery – a distinctive listening space accessed through a trap door. Designed for deep listening and visual immersion, the room features 360° audio, mirrored ceilings and bespoke furniture. It also houses over 2,000 original vinyl and shellac records dating from the 1940s to today as its permanent collection; they are displayed across its 32 metres of wall shelving. The space will also host rotating exhibitions from guest record collectors. The opening exhibition – ‘I Am Soil. My Tears Are Water’ – will present new works by Campos-Pons, curated by Faridah Folawiyo, and will run until 24 May 2025. Focusing on flora and fauna native to Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, Campos-Pons examines diaspora and relativity – the idea that all life is intertwined. Hibiscus, sugarcane and guava leaves, among other botanicals rich in cultural significance, feature prominently. Through painting, sculpture and site-specific installation created in collaboration with multifaceted musician Kamaal Malak, the exhibition is an exploration of nature, spirituality and the interconnectedness across cultures and geographies. This inaugural exhibition sets the foundation for a dynamic programme designed to foster engagement and advance contemporary artistic narratives.

Upcoming programming at Efie Gallery’s new space will include a film and photography group exhibition curated by Ose Ekore, running from May to July 2025, featuring works by Kelani Abass, Sumayah Fallatah and Samuel Fosso, among others. In autumn, the gallery will present ‘The Birth of a People’, a show of modern African art spanning the years 1957 to 1999, and ‘The Shape of Things to Come’, curated by Dexter Wimberly.

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