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Tate Modern Exhibition

A World in Common Contemporary African Photography

6 July 2023 – 14 January 2024

Free for Members

Become a Member

Aida Muluneh Water Life Series, Star Shine, Moon Glow 2018 commissioned by WaterAid and supported by the H&M Foundation © Aida Muluneh

  • Exhibition guides
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A celebration of the varied landscape of contemporary African photography today

Bringing together a group of artists from different generations, this exhibition will address how photography, film, audio, and more have been used to reimagine Africa’s diverse cultures and historical narratives.

Moving beyond a traditional photography exhibition, the show seeks to explore the many ways images travel across histories and geographies. Using themes of spirituality, identity, urbanism and climate emergency, the exhibition will guide the viewer through dream-like utopias and bustling cityscapes viewed from the artists’ perspectives.

The exhibition follows artists across the many landscapes, borders and time zones of Africa to reveal how photography allows the past and the future to co-exist in powerful and transformative ways.

Read, rest and reflect in our free space Common Ground before or after the exhibition.

Atong Atem Adut and Bigoa 2015 courtesy of the artist and MARS Gallery © Atong Atem

Dawit L. Petros Untitled (Prologue III), Nouakchott, Mauritania 2016 Courtesy of the artist and Tiwani Contemporary

Credit: Kudzanai Chiurai We Live in Silence IV 2017 courtesy of the artist and the Goodman Gallery © Kudzanai Chiurai

Wura-Natasha Ogunji Will I still carry water when I am a dead woman? 2013 Fridman Gallery © Wura-Natasha Ogunji. Photo Credit Ema Edosio

Kiluanji Kia Henda Rusty Mirage (The City Skyline) 2013 Tate Purchased with funds provided by the Africa Acquisitions Committee 2016 © Kiluanji Kia Henda

Kiripi Katembo Avancer, Un regard series 2008-2013 © Kiripi Katembo, Courtesy Kiripi Katembo Siku Foundation & MAGNIN-A Gallery, Paris

Mario Macilau Breaking News from The Profit Corner series 2015 © Mario Macilau

Our exhibition guide explores the exhibition room by room.

Need a bigger font size of the exhibition guide? Download the large print guide [1.2MB]

Kelani Abass; Leonce Raphael Agbodjélou; Malala Andrialavidrazana; Atong Atem; Sammy Baloji; James Barnor; Edson Chagas; Kudzanai Chiurai; Ndidi Dike; Andrew Esiebo; Em'kal Eyongakpa; Rotimi Fani-Kayode; Hassan Hajjaj; Délio Jasse; Julianknxx; Samson Kambalu; Kiripi Katembo; Lebohang Kganye; Kiluanji Kia Henda; François-Xavier Gbré; Maïmouna Guerresi; Mário Macilau; Lazhar Mansouri; Sabelo Mlangeni; Cristina de Middel; Santu Mofokeng; Fabrice Monteiro; Aida Muluneh; Wura-Natasha Ogunji; Zohra Opoku; George Osodi; Ruth Ossai; Léonard Pongo; Dawit L. Petros; Zina Saro-Wiwa; Khadija Saye.

All Tate Modern entrances are step-free. You can enter via the Turbine Hall and into the Natalie Bell Building on Holland Street, or into the Blavatnik Building on Sumner street.

There are lifts to every floor of the Blavatnik and Nathalie Bell buildings. Alternatively you can take the stairs.

  • Fully accessible toilets are located on every floor on the concourses.
  • A quiet room is available to use in the Natalie Bell Building on Level 4.
  • Ear defenders can be borrowed from the Ticket desks.

To help plan your visit to Tate Modern, have a look at our visual story. It includes photographs and information of what you can expect from a visit to the gallery.

Download a map of Tate Modern [PDF, 1014 Kb].

Tate Modern

Bankside
London SE1 9TG
Plan your visit

Dates

6 July 2023 – 14 January 2024

  • Advance booking is recommended ​
  • Members enjoy free entry – no need to book, just turn up with your card
  • Open until 22.00 for Tate Modern Lates

Supported by

The World in Common Exhibition Supporters Circle

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Alexandra Howell

Goodman Gallery

Tate Americas Foundation

Tate International Council

Tate Patrons

and Tate Members

*****

There are big, important, heavy issues here, but also so much joy

The i
*****

Exhilarating, dynamic, profound

The Observer
*****

Simply breathtaking

Evening Standard
****

Valiant, vibrant

Time Out

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