When We See Us
Past event
Cancelled
Postponed
Now →
10 Aug.'25
A Century of Black Figuration in Painting
How have artists from Africa and its vast diaspora depicted daily life over the past century? This landmark exhibition offers a rich variety of answers to the question, presenting a kaleidoscope of Black figurative painting from the 1920s to the present day.
Inspired by Ava DuVernay's series When They See Us, the exhibition title When We See Us reflects a fundamental perspective exploring Black self-representation and global Black subjectivities. The approximately 150 works by around 120 artists are grouped into six themes: The Everyday, Joy & Revelry, Repose, Sensuality, Spirituality, and Triumph and Emancipation.
By focusing on these themes, the exhibition offers a rich, nuanced view of Black life and thought, emphasising the resilience, essence, and political charge of Black joy. It highlights relationships between artists and artworks across geographic, generational, and conceptual contexts, fostering a deeper understanding of a complex and underrepresented genealogy rooted in African and Black modernities. When We See Us encourages discussion on Black liberation and intellectual movements and celebrates experiences from Africa and the African diaspora contributing to the art historical canon.
The exhibition was curated by Koyo Kouoh, Executive Director and Chief Curator of Zeitz MOCAA in Cape Town, who tragically passed away in May 2025. All at Bozar mourn her loss.
On this exhibition, she worked closely with co-curator Tandazani Dhlakama. Listen to them talk you through the exhibition via our podcast.
This exhibition is conceived and organised by Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA) In Cape Town. When We See Us is presented at Bozar under the Patronage of Her Majesty the Queen.
Highlights Tour - in Dutch
Highlights Tour - in French
Thenjiwe Niki Nkosi, Ceremony, 2020, © Thenjiwe Niki Nkosi. Courtesy of Stevenson, Amsterdam/Cape Town/Johannesburg. Photo Nina Lieska
Esiri Erheriene-Essi, The Birthday Party, 2021© Esiri Erheriene-Essi and Galerie Ron Mandos
Tiffany Alfonseca, Espero que ya le dijiste a tu madre de nosotras, 2020, © Tiffany Alfonseca
Zandile Tshabalala, Two Reclining Women, 2020, Courtesy of the Maduna Collection © Zandile Tshabalala Studio
Cinthia Sifa Mulanga, Wait your turn – Competitive Sisterhood, 2021 © Courtesy African Arty Gallery
Roméo Mivekannin, Le modèle noir, d'après Félix Vallotton, 2019 © Sabam2024
Aaron Douglas, Boy with a Toy Plane, 1938, © Heirs of Aaron Douglas/VAGA at ARS, NY and DACS, London 2022 ©Sabam 2024
Zéh Palito, Que Se Chama Amor, 2022, Courtesy the artist, Simões de Assis © Courtesy of the artist
Thenjiwe Niki Nkosi, Ceremony, 2020, © Thenjiwe Niki Nkosi. Courtesy of Stevenson, Amsterdam/Cape Town/Johannesburg. Photo Nina Lieska
Esiri Erheriene-Essi, The Birthday Party, 2021© Esiri Erheriene-Essi and Galerie Ron Mandos
Tiffany Alfonseca, Espero que ya le dijiste a tu madre de nosotras, 2020, © Tiffany Alfonseca
Zandile Tshabalala, Two Reclining Women, 2020, Courtesy of the Maduna Collection © Zandile Tshabalala Studio
Cinthia Sifa Mulanga, Wait your turn – Competitive Sisterhood, 2021 © Courtesy African Arty Gallery
Roméo Mivekannin, Le modèle noir, d'après Félix Vallotton, 2019 © Sabam2024
Aaron Douglas, Boy with a Toy Plane, 1938, © Heirs of Aaron Douglas/VAGA at ARS, NY and DACS, London 2022 ©Sabam 2024
Zéh Palito, Que Se Chama Amor, 2022, Courtesy the artist, Simões de Assis © Courtesy of the artist
Practical information
Dates
Location
BOZAR/Centre for Fine Arts
Rue Ravenstein 23 1000 BRUSSELSEvery Monday the exhibition is closed, including Monday 12 May, except Monday 9 June (exceptionally open from 10am to 6pm).
From Tuesday 1 July to Sunday 31 August = summer opening hours:
- Exhibition open Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 7pm.
- Closed on Mondays.
♿
The exhibition is accessible to people with reduced mobility with the assistance of the reception staff at Bozar (access through a private lift).
We kindly ask you to announce your visit in advance.
📚
The catalogue is available for purchase at Bozar Bookshop by Walther König in English. Published by Thames & Hudson.
📖
You can also read the visitors' guide digitally via the Bloomberg Connects app and the Kids Guide using this link.
🎧
We invite you to listen to the podcasts on When We See Us
Podcast When We See Us
Rates
Standard
€ 18
< 30 year
€ 9
>65 year
€ 16
< 6 year
€ 0
< 18 year
€ 2
ICOM
€ 0
museumPASSmusées
€ 0
Carte press / Perskaarten : VVJ, AJP, IFJ, API-IPA, AICA
€ 0
Carte PROF | Lerarenkaart - Klasse
€ 9
Brussels Card
€ 0
Card : Preferential Reimbursement / EU Disability
€ 9
Wheelchair
€ 0
Companion wheelchair
€ 0
National Lottery Club
€ 15
Thalys Club & Club +
€ 9
Bozar Conseil d'Administration | Raad van Bestuur
€ 0
Groups & Guided Tours
All the information you need to prepare your guided tour →Related events
Concerts
Exhibitions
Films
Talks & Debates
Festival
Performance
Highly Recommended
Bozar all over the P(a)lace - Nocturne June
Films
Art & Film
The Ballad of Suzanne Césaire - Madeleine Hunt-Ehrlich
Talks & Debates
Highly Recommended
Sofa Session#4 Spirituality, with Neo Muyanga
Exhibitions
Digital & New media
Highly Recommended
Bozar Arcade: Gabriel Massan
Talks & Debates
Highly Recommended
Sofa Session#3 Sensuality, with Gabriel Massan
Films
Immersive Cinema
Digital & New media
VR Film Screening: Her Voices From Africa
Films
Family Film Club
Kids’ Palace
After The Long Rains - Damien Hauser
In the presence of the director
Villa Madjo by Elen Sylla Grollimund + Tales from the Source by Léonard Pongo
Concerts
Talks & Debates
Global Music
Sofa Session #2: Joy and Revelry met aja monet
Concerts
Exhibitions
Films
Talks & Debates
Performance
Highly Recommended
Bozar all over the P(a)lace - Nocturne February
Talks & Debates
Highly Recommended
Meet the Thinkers : Rokhaya Diallo, Kiyémis & Lilian Thuram
Talks & Debates
Classical Music
Highly Recommended
Sofa Session#1: the Everyday with Davóne Tines
Watch ✕ Read ✕ Listen
Spring at Bozar: Four must-do activities for children and teenagers
‘There is nothing more sensual than people feeling comfortable in their skin’
When We See Us: A Century of Black Figuration in Painting
Organised by
- Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA)