WAAU – World African Artists United at ARCOlisboa 2025: Expanding Presence and Dialogues on Afro-Atlantic Narratives
WAAU (World African Artists United), a non-profit association committed to promoting and sharing contemporary African art and shifting global narratives, proudly announces its participation in ARCOlisboa 2025. As this fruitful partnership continues to grow, WAAU is excited to engage audiences through dynamic programming that highlights Afro-Atlantic perspectives and fosters cross-cultural dialogue.
PROGRAMMING HIGHLIGHTS
May 29, 2025 | 19:00 – 21:00
Inaugural Cocktail Reception
Celebrate the opening of ARCOlisboa with a festive cocktail hosted by MEXTO in partnership with WAAU.
May 30, 2025 | 16:30 – 18:00
Presentation: Association WAAU
Discover WAAU’s mission and recent projects through a public presentation and dialogue.
May 30, 2025 | 18:45 – 19:45
WAAU Talk: Afro-Atlantic Histories and Memories: Ancestry, Futurity and Community against Erasure
Moderated by Ana Balona de Oliveira, with guest speakers Paula Nascimento, Igor Simões, Januário Jano, Melissa Rodrigues, Cássio Markowski, and Moisés Patrício.
This powerful conversation, is the result of a collaboration with ARCOlisboa’s The Shapes of the Ocean section, and brings together artists and curators from across Afro-Atlantic geographies to reflect on the roles of memory and imagination in creating fairer histories and futures. The talk will revisit erased narratives—of resistance, care, and community—and explore how contemporary art challenges enduring structures.
May 30, 2025 | 22:00 – 02:00
Official ARCOlisboa After Party
WAAU’s main patron, MEXTO, in collaboration with the Joana Vasconcelos Foundation, will organise an exclusive after party to celebrate ARCOlisboa 2025. This festive gathering will bring together artists, curators, collectors, and cultural leaders for a night of music, connection, and celebration of contemporary art.
WAAU STAND & SPECIAL PRESENTATION
Throughout the fair, WAAU will host a dedicated stand, serving as a vibrant meeting point and platform to engage with the work of African artists and curators. This space reflects WAAU’s ongoing commitment to amplifying contemporary African voices and fostering global artistic exchange.
Alongside the WAAU stand, visitors will also have the opportunity to experience a special presentation of an artwork by artist Ibrahim Bemba Kébé, in collaboration with the gallery THIS IS NOT A WHITE CUBE. This installation adds a powerful artistic voice to the dialogue on contemporary African art at ARCOlisboa, further enriching the fair’s offerings and WAAU’s cultural presence.
