“Ardent/Non-Ardent” Faith in Africa: Exhibition of Contemporary Christian Art Opens at the Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences
The opening of the exhibition of contemporary African art “Ardent/Non-Ardent Faith” took place at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences on January 19, 2026. The exhibition is dedicated to the phenomenon of Christian faith in Africa, and the event was intentionally timed to coincide with Epiphany. The organizers of the exhibition are the Assembly of the Peoples of the World, the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and the “I–A” Gallery.
“Christianity in contemporary Africa is a fundamental institution of spirituality, culture, and education. In most countries on the continent, faith serves as the primary ethical and moral regulator, one that does not contradict traditional beliefs but interacts harmoniously with them,” explain the exhibition curators. “The exhibition is dedicated to the ardor/authenticity of Christian faith in Africa and, at the same time, to the specificity of spiritual expressions and experiences connected with the traditions of the continent’s peoples.”
The works of African artists—paintings, masks, sculptures by contemporary masters—transport viewers into a new cultural space: sincere, vibrant, honest.
“The East, Asia, and Africa are distinct realms of meaning, and we are always interested to see how the idea of faith, the perception of the sacred, is refracted through African culture. Every person sees the great idea of God in its own way, comprehends it in its own way,” noted Alikber Alikberov, Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences.
The exhibition features works by over 40 African artists, including Mulenga Mubanga, Boston Mulenga, Moses Mulenga (Zambia), Fofa Rabiarijaona (Madagascar), Boet Nyarira (Zimbabwe), and others. They are also all residents of one of the most prestigious creative platforms for African art in Moscow—the “I–A” Gallery owned by Yanina Dubeykovskaya.
Guests of the exhibition highly appreciated how all the exhibits convey a sense of the depth of Christian faith from many unusual angles.
“We would like to express special gratitude to all our partners who support aspirations for interaction in the sphere of spiritual culture and public diplomacy,” noted Svetlana Smirnova, Chairperson of the General Council of the Assembly of the Peoples of the World, at the conclusion of the evening.
The exhibition will be open to visitors until January 30.
