Bridget Baker, The Assemblers #1, 2015, Photographer Sarah Nankin. Copyright the artist, Courtesy Tyburn Gallery.
Bridget Baker, The Assemblers #1, 2015, Photographer Sarah Nankin. Copyright the artist, Courtesy Tyburn Gallery.
Tyburn Gallery is a new London-based exhibition space dedicated to international contemporary art. Founded by the former editor of the South African Journal of Human Rights Emma Menell, an engagement with the culture and socio-politics of Africa is at the heart of this new venture. Growing up in South Africa, Menell maintained a passion for art, and this lifelong fascination is evidenced in the works she collects.

Both Menell and her family have been involved in entrepreneurial ventures across Africa which have brought them into contact with artists and collectors across the continent. Menell’s own collection features pieces by Robert Hodgins, Moffat Takadiwa, William Kentridge, Guy Tillim and other emerging South African artists. She founded Tyburn Gallery to represent, support and exhibit the work of some of Africa’s most exciting new artists. 

The gallery’s inaugural show is Broken English, running from 18 September until 28 October 2015. Curated by Kim Stern, a curator based in Cape Town, the show presents the work of a group of international artists including Stephen Allwright, Joël Andrianomearisoa, Bridget Baker, Eduardo Berliner, Edson Chagas, Dan Halter, Mouna Karray, Yashua Klos, Ibrahim Mahama, Michele Mathison, Mohau Modisakeng, Lakin Ogunbanwo, Athi-Patra Ruga, Rowan Smith and Moffat Takadiwa.

Lakin Ogunbanwo, Untitled (hat on face), 2013, Copyright the Artist, Courtesy Tyburn Gallery.
Lakin Ogunbanwo, Untitled (hat on face), 2013, Copyright the Artist, Courtesy Tyburn Gallery.

Broken English analyses the categorisation of culture and identity in the millennial world in which continents are connected through social media rather than human contact. Many of the artists live between multiple cities, including Antananarivo, Cape Town, Harare, Johannesburg, Lisbon, London, New York, Paris, São Paulo and Tamale. Their work critiques the relevance of national identity in this globalised social climate. We spoke with the gallery founder Emma Menell to find out how her dynamic career trajectory, and a fascination with the arts, led her to this new venture.