An exhibition of African art has opened in a Kyiv museum, three years after the building was damaged by a missile strike. The show, titled “Africa Direct,” features over 40 works from 18 countries and represents a deliberate shift in Ukraine’s cultural outlook.
The Khanenko Museum, housing a significant private art collection, sustained considerable damage in an attack in October 2022, which shattered its windows and glass ceiling. Despite the damage, the museum remained operational, hosting various public events. The art collection itself had been secured prior to the attack.
The current exhibition, drawn from the private collection of a Ukrainian couple who worked in African public health, intentionally moves away from traditional ethnographic displays. It encourages a more direct and sensory engagement with the artworks, many of which are presented on simple wooden stands rather than behind glass.
A notable piece is a large terracotta vessel from north-western Nigeria, created by Dakakari women for funerary rites. Its expressive, carved features convey a powerful presence. Also featured is a 20th-century Ethiopian healing scroll with a painted angel, intended to ward off evil.
The exhibition has sparked discussions about shared experiences of resistance. At the opening, a representative of the African community in Ukraine drew parallels, stating, “We are both freedom fighters. Africa fought colonialism, Ukraine fights now for its freedom.”
Curators describe the project as an intellectual realignment, suggesting that Ukraine’s engagement with African art is a way to break from isolation and join a global conversation on its own terms. This cultural initiative unfolds against a complex political backdrop, including recent diplomatic tensions between Ukraine and some African nations.
The museum’s staff, many of whom are young and returned from abroad to work, view culture as a vital form of civic resilience. The exhibition’s opening night was punctuated by air raid alarms, a reminder of the ongoing conflict. Yet, the museum continues its work, emphasizing continuity and a critical re-examination of historical narratives.
The “Africa Direct” exhibition will be on display until January 11, 2026.
