On May 28th 2026, co-founder Maria Varnava released a statement announcing the immediate closure of Tiwani Contemporary’s London gallery. Its Lagos location, opened in 2022, will “cease operations in its current format to allow for restructuring in the months ahead.”
Varnava, a Greek Cypriot who spent her formative years in Nigeria, has always been vocal about her commitment to the African continent and founded Tiwani Contemporary in 2011 to showcase art by Africans and the African diaspora on the global stage. The name “Tiwani” (proposed by the late, great Bisi Silva) means “it belongs to us” in Yoruba.
Owing to Varnava’s artist-focused ethos, Tiwani Contemporary has served as a haven for African art, exhibiting some of the most exciting names that have emerged in recent times, such as Njideka Akunyili Crosby, Simone Leigh, Joy Labinjo, Wura-Natasha Ogunji, Gareth Nyandoro, Emma Prempeh, and Samuel Nnorom, amongst several others across its two locations.
Tiwani Contemporary’s closure hits home because there are so few spaces globally that are strictly dedicated to African art with the level of commitment maintained by Varnava for nearly two decades. The saddening news of the London gallery’s closure has come at a time when “difficult markets” and rising costs have caused several other notable London gallery closures, particularly Stephen Friedman Gallery, TJ Boulting, and Almine Rech.
Although the global art market continues to transition into a more “flexible” state, at home in Lagos, we’re seeing very few closures and exciting bold entrants, such as DADA gallery, Adegbola Gallery, and Mbari Kola. Hopefully, the restructuring of its Lagos gallery reflects a new beginning in Tiwani’s incredibly impactful journey with African art.
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Here’s a copy of the full statement issued via Tiwani’s official Instagram page (@tiwanicontemporary) on May 28th:
“A message from our co-founder, Maria Varnava:
Fifteen years ago, I co-founded Tiwani Contemporary with a commitment to broadening international dialogue around art from Africa and the diaspora. Since then it has been an immense privilege to work with so many wonderful artists, and help to amplify their vital and extraordinary voices. Their impact will only continue to grow.
However, the directors of the gallery have taken the difficult decision to cease operations at Tiwani Contemporary. Sadly, the current economic climate and the shifting landscape of the London art market no longer support our business model. The decision to wind down our activity is extremely painful, but it is a responsible step to address the financial challenges the gallery faces in a difficult market.
I am profoundly grateful to the artists who have entrusted us with their work, the collectors, curators and collaborators who have supported our vision, and to our dedicated team who have contributed so much to the gallery’s legacy.
We have instructed BTG Begbies Traynor (Central) LLP to ensure an orderly and professional transition for our staff and artists.
Our London gallery will close today. Our space in Lagos will also cease operations in its current format to allow for restructuring in the months ahead.
Maria Varnava”