African Modernism and Afro-Surrealism – a guided tour at the Tate Modern 2026

At this IIL inclusion and diversity event at the Tate Modern, tour guide Nadia Denton offers a unique perspective on contemporary art, framed through the lens of African Modernism and Afro-Surrealism.

African Modernism, a movement which refers to African artists influenced by Western modernist concepts, is characterised by a unique imagery infused with traditional African influences. By contrast, Afro-Surrealism is a cultural aesthetic that places emphasis on uncovering the invisible world and engaging audiences in highly imaginative and dramatic ways to reflect the global black experience. This tour includes the work of:

• Simone Leigh, whose work examines ideas of the female body, race, beauty and community
• Pacita Abad, who took inspiration from African masks, and re-interpreted this into elaborate textile works
• Ibrahim El-Salahi, whose work is inspired by Arabic and African sensibilities, forms and iconography
• Conceptual artist Meschac Gaba’s whose Art and Religion Room From Museum of Contemporary African Art challenges notions of what’s perceived as art and religious artefact

Photos are allowed on this tour – just no video or audio recording, please.