Kyiv's Khanenko Museum has taken a bold step towards decolonization by hosting an exhibition on Africa that shatters the conventional way of approaching the continent. Titled "Africa Direct," the show brings together 40 works from 18 African countries, all collected over two decades by a Ukrainian couple who have worked extensively in public health. The collection is not your typical ethnographic display but instead focuses on the sensual engagement with African art and material culture – things made to be touched, carried, and embraced.
The exhibition reflects Ukraine's cultural shift towards recognizing that decolonization is not only about geopolitics but also about epistemology. By displaying artifacts that originated from diverse cultures, the museum blurs geographical boundaries and highlights the interconnectedness of human experiences. "We are both freedom fighters," declared Anika Johnson, a long-time resident of Ukraine, drawing parallels between Africa's fight against colonialism and Ukraine's struggle for independence.
One striking piece from north-western Nigeria stands out – a terracotta vessel with a face in relief that gazes into an invisible distance. The artisan behind it made it for funerary purposes, conveying care, mourning, and continuity. Nearby, an angel painted on the parchment of a Christian Ethiopian healing scroll also stares with wide eyes meant to protect from evil.
The exhibition is conceived as an experiment in redefining museum roles during times of resistance. Ukraine has traditionally looked westward and inward but now turning southward allows it to engage in global conversations on its own terms, de-colonizing narratives of art and empire by addressing racism and rethinking knowledge production. The show unfolds against a backdrop that complicates any easy idealism due to tensions between Ukraine and African states with Russian influence.
The process is unfolding under bombardment giving it particular gravity, as the museum staff who are mostly in their 20s and 30s have committed themselves to this institution and the city they love. Amidst war, culture remains a form of civic resilience and critical reflection. The Khanenko Museum stands by its principle that continuity, intelligence, and a critical engagement with inherited narratives are essential – neither tragic nor heroic but necessary.
The exhibition reflects Ukraine's cultural shift towards recognizing that decolonization is not only about geopolitics but also about epistemology. By displaying artifacts that originated from diverse cultures, the museum blurs geographical boundaries and highlights the interconnectedness of human experiences. "We are both freedom fighters," declared Anika Johnson, a long-time resident of Ukraine, drawing parallels between Africa's fight against colonialism and Ukraine's struggle for independence.
One striking piece from north-western Nigeria stands out – a terracotta vessel with a face in relief that gazes into an invisible distance. The artisan behind it made it for funerary purposes, conveying care, mourning, and continuity. Nearby, an angel painted on the parchment of a Christian Ethiopian healing scroll also stares with wide eyes meant to protect from evil.
The exhibition is conceived as an experiment in redefining museum roles during times of resistance. Ukraine has traditionally looked westward and inward but now turning southward allows it to engage in global conversations on its own terms, de-colonizing narratives of art and empire by addressing racism and rethinking knowledge production. The show unfolds against a backdrop that complicates any easy idealism due to tensions between Ukraine and African states with Russian influence.
The process is unfolding under bombardment giving it particular gravity, as the museum staff who are mostly in their 20s and 30s have committed themselves to this institution and the city they love. Amidst war, culture remains a form of civic resilience and critical reflection. The Khanenko Museum stands by its principle that continuity, intelligence, and a critical engagement with inherited narratives are essential – neither tragic nor heroic but necessary.
. It's like, we're always taught to focus on the big picture, geopolitics, and all that, but they're showing us that decolonization is also about epistemology – how we know and understand the world around us. 
African art is like the ultimate flex 
40 works from 18 countries? That's some next-level #AfricanArtReps 
And can we talk about the museum's bold move to blur geographical boundaries and show that decolonization is not just about politics, but also epistemology 
The way they're framing this as an experiment in redefining museum roles is EVERYTHING 
I mean, who needs easy idealism when you can have cultural resilience and critical reflection? 
#DecolonizationInAction #KhanenkoMuseum
I mean, we're still grappling with the idea of globalization, yet here's Ukraine stepping forward to redefine its relationship with the world, one art piece at a time. It's like they're saying, 'Hey, we were colonized too, and our narratives are just as valid.' And the fact that it's being done in a museum setting, where artifacts are usually presented as relics of a bygone era, is super thought-provoking. It makes me wonder if we can use these exhibitions to challenge our own assumptions about history and power dynamics... 
! It's all about challenging our conventional way of thinking about Africa and art. I mean, who knew that African art wasn't just about being exotic or weird? 
It's actually about sensuality, touchability, and a deep connection to the community that created it.
. It just goes to show that art, culture, and resilience are everything, even in the toughest times. The fact that they're tackling these big issues like racism, empire, and knowledge production is no joke 
.
. And can we talk about the way they're blurring geographical boundaries and highlighting human experiences? It's like, this exhibition isn't just a show, it's a movement 
. The fact that it's happening in Ukraine right now is just, like, so symbolic... given everything going on with Russia 
. Can't wait to see more of these kinds of exhibitions pop up!
It's crazy that this exhibition reflects Ukraine's shift towards recognizing the importance of epistemology, too. And can we talk about the connection between Africa's fight for freedom and Ukraine's struggle for independence? 
. The terracotta vessel with the face in relief is giving me major chill vibes 
like, who cares about geographical boundaries when it comes to art? 
and I love how they're seeing this as an experiment in redefining museum roles during times of resistance 
. I'm loving the way this exhibition is sparking conversations about decolonization, epistemology, and our own cultural narratives 
I mean, we've seen similar exhibitions before where artists from one continent are expected to represent the entire other continent – it's like reducing 1.3 billion people to a few pieces of art 
and saw how people were struggling to survive. But what really caught my eye was this exhibition at the Khanenko Museum... 40 pieces from Africa, all showcasing these amazing terracotta vessels and paintings that just make you want to touch and feel them 
️, like i've heard they have so much rich history and culture there... anyway back to this kyiv museum show 'africa direct' 
. I mean, Africans have been collecting their own art for centuries, why do we need 40 works from 18 countries to show us that Africa is awesome? 
it's cool how the museum is trying to break free from those colonial norms and give a platform to artists from all over. I guess you could say Ukraine is going full "AFRICA DIRECT" on everyone! 
Like, how do we even think about art and culture if we're not considering all the perspectives? 
but it's beautiful to see culture being used as a form of resilience in these crazy times