As museums across the world attempt to diversify their staffs and internationalize their exhibition programs, Tate Modern in London has brought on new curators of African, Middle Eastern, and South Asian art. Last week the London gallery announced four new curatorial hires that signal openness to art from South Asia, Southwest Asia, and North Africa.
The new appointees—all of whom will have the title Curator, International Art—are Nabila Abdel Nabi, Osei Bonsu, Valentina Ravaglia, and Devika Singh.
Bonsu, a curator, critic and art historian, will be entrusted with strengthening the representation of African art in Tate’s collection and program.
“Their significant experience and expertise will play an important part in expanding our knowledge of modern and contemporary art from Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East, furthering our ambition to present a truly international story of art through our program and collection.”
Tate Modern’s director Frances Morris
Osei Bonsu is a curator, critic and art historian who has developed projects focused on transnational histories of art, collaborating with museums, galleries and private collections internationally. He curated the 10th edition of Satellites, The Economy of Living Things, 2017, an exhibition co-commissioned by Jeu de Paume and CAPC: Centre for Contemporary Art, Bordeaux, and has worked on a number of projects focusing on African art, including Pangaea II: New Art from Africa and Latin America, Saatchi Gallery, 2015, and 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair, 2013-14. Osei has contributed to exhibition catalogues and publications including ArtReview, New African and NKA Journal of Contemporary African Art, and was an acting contributing editor to frieze. He holds an MA History of Art from University College London.