"African cultural heritage needs to be restituted!" This is the argument shared by many African cultural and political actors. However, while such arguments have been defended and heard since the times of independence, it's only in recent years that many actors in the art scenes from here and elsewhere  have become aware of the complexity of the topic restitution.

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What should be restituted? How should it be restituted? Can there be complete restitution? What might restitution, both material and non-material, look like 40-years-from-now?

 

Restitution... and then? is a pioneering project focused on the restitution of African cultural artifacts to their countries of origin. This project aims to generate a global dialogue on the significance of restitution concerning cultural identity, heritage, and sustainable development, with a distinctive afro-futuristic perspective. It will feature a series of exhibitions, workshops, and discussions addressing the impact of repatriation of cultural assets and exploring future visions for African cultural sovereignty and economic empowerment. 

 

Export strategy: 

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New Afro  plans to export this project internationally through partnerships with art institutions, cultural centers, and academic organizations across Europe and beyond. This strategy will enhance global visibility for African artists, foster cultural exchanges, and deepen understanding of African heritage. By showcasing Restitution... et après? in various locations, we aim to contribute to a vibrant, interconnected art scene.

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 The first edition of this project took place from May 23 to June 06 in Mainz at the Institut français Mainz, where four talented and visionary artists of African descent reflected on the theme of the restitution of African cultural heritage.​​​​

 

Through this exhibition, Cheria Essieke (from New Afro), the curator, initiated a conversation about the future of the restitution of African cultural heritage by providing a platform for African creatives to express themselves through their artworks.

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We thank the Institut français Mainz, its partners and Kultursommer Rheinland-Pfalz for supporting this cultural project, which we hope will continue to grow.

We also thank the cameroonian Doctoral Researcher Clément Ndé Fongang  (Doctoral Researcher of the "Minor Universality" project at Saarland University) and Dr. Anna-Maria Brandstetter (Curator of the Ethnographic Study Collection (1992 - 2024) and director at the Institute for Ethnology and African Studies at the University of Mainz (Dec. 1983 - Mar. 2024)) for their participation to our discussion panel, that took place on the 24.05.2024, at the Institut français Mainz.

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We wish to grow this exhibition and continue nourishing the conversation about the future of the restitution of African cultural heritage around the world. Therefore, we are open to bringing this exhibition outside of Mainz. Feel free to contact us by any interest in collaborating.

 

But first, meet the pillar artists of this project: Chelsea Odufu (Filmmaker, Photographer, Visual artist), Ibaaku (Music producer and Dj), Chidi Nwaubani (Multidisciplinary Artist), Nuits balnéaires (Photographer, Poet, Visual artist).