Architects of Liberation: Modernism in Western Africa

The Museum of Modern Art will present Architects of Liberation: Modernism in Western Africa, the first major exhibition to examine modern architecture from the late 1950s through the early 1980s in the context of political independence in the region. On view from July 5, 2026, through January 2, 2027, in the The Robert B. Menschel Galleries on the Museum’s third floor, the exhibition will highlight the independence period as a prolific time of architectural production, during which leaders of newly founded African nations sought to redefine themselves and their countries in contrast to colonial rule. This new architectural identity engaged deeply with broader political ideas of Pan-Africanism and Africanization, which were promoted by new leaders and governments. Spanning seven countries—Benin, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, and Togo—the show will be organized around anchor projects that serve as entry points into categories such as cityscapes, education, and housing. The exhibition will pay particular attention to the critical contributions of the first generation of trained African architects.

Architects of Liberation will feature approximately 450 objects, including architectural drawings, models, and archival photographs, from the collections of over 50 lenders from 17 countries. The exhibition is the result of four years of extensive research in the region. The vast majority of the objects that will be on display have never been presented publicly, and most of the architects included have never previously been featured in any exhibition or scholarly publication. The exhibition will also include original and commissioned architectural models, as well as a suite of new films and commissioned photographs.

Architects of Liberation is organized by Martino Stierli, The Philip Johnson Chief Curator of Architecture and Design, and Ikem Stanley Okoye, guest curator and associate professor at the University of Delaware; with Mallory Cohen, curatorial associate in the Department of Architecture and Design.