The largest presentation of contemporary photographic art by Africans and those in the diaspora will open in Asia at the Winland Centre in Hangzhou, China. Following a highly successful debut at Fotografiska Shanghai, where Marvellous Realism attracted over 70,000 visitors, this new staging builds on strong public interest in African artistic expression in China.
The exhibition was initiated by the KT Wong Foundation, which is dedicated to fostering cultural ties between Africa and China through visual art, music, and performance, such as the recent collaborations at the Beijing Music Festival.
“We are delighted to bring Marvellous Realism to Hangzhou, a city that so beautifully bridges tradition and innovation,” said Lady Linda Wong Davies, Founder of the KT Wong Foundation.
“We are excited to introduce the work of these African artists to new audiences in China, while building meaningful cultural exchanges with artists and institutions in Hangzhou for future collaborations,” said Lady Linda Wong Davies, Founder of the KT Wong Foundation.
Photography is an ideal medium for cross-cultural dialogue and exchange. The exhibition coincides with 2026 being earmarked as the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges and further solidifies the long-standing sister-city relationship between Cape Town and Hangzhou. Marvellous Realism has been hailed as an important cultural initiative and supported by both the Mayor of Cape Town and the Chinese Consul-General in that city.
“The City of Cape Town commends the KT Wong Foundation for their commitment to advancing meaningful cultural dialogue between Africa and China. We look forward to seeing Marvellous Realism continue to build bridges between our communities and inspire audiences in Hangzhou and beyond,” noted Geordin Hill-Lewis, Mayor of Cape Town.
“I look forward to the exhibition’s opening, strengthening cultural understanding and creating further opportunities for artistic exchange between China and Africa,” observed Consul General Ren Faqiang.
“Hangzhou Winland Centre serves as fertile ground where diverse civilizational narratives can meet, intertwine, and grow. We hope that through the lenses of African artists, Chinese audiences will encounter an Africa that speaks for and defines itself—one that resonates deeply and sparks meaningful reflection,” noted Mr. Adam Yu, Chairman of Winland Group.
Photography has been a critical vehicle for African artists to reclaim and redefine historical depictions shaped by the colonial gaze. The artists showing in Marvellous Realism are Leonce Raphael Agbodjelou, Maïmouna Guerresi, Ruby Okoro, Mary Sibande, David Ụzọchukwu, Justin Dingwall, Hassan Hajjaj, Cyrus Kabiru, Atong Atem, Ayana V. Jackson, Lebohang Kganye, Mohau Modisakeng, Pieter Hugo, and Thania Petersen.
The Winland Centre provides an extraordinary setting for this dialogue. Situated at the origin of the Grand Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and adjacent to the thousand-year-old Xiangji Temple, the venue embodies a unique convergence of history and contemporary culture.
About the KT Wong Foundation
The KT Wong Foundation is an independent cultural organisation established in 2007 by philanthropist Lady Linda Wong Davies. With offices in London, Cape Town, and Beijing, the Foundation is dedicated to fostering cultural exchange between China, Africa, and the wider world through ambitious projects in visual art, music, and opera.
The Foundation played a prominent role in Beijing’s cultural calendar through major collaborations at the 27th Beijing Music Festival. These included the presentation of African choral music by the Cape Town Opera Chorus, as well as a landmark production of Porgy and Bess, co-produced by the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, the Beijing Music Festival, Cape Town Opera, and the KT Wong Foundation.
Other prominent projects include major support for productions by William Kentridge, including Lulu (English National Opera, 2016) and the film version of The Head & the Load, premiered at Tate Modern (2018), and commissioning Chinese artist Zhang Huan to design and direct a staging of Handel’s Semele, co-produced with the National Opera of Brussels, which toured internationally between 2010 and 2019.
About the Winland Centre
The Winland Centre is a landmark architectural complex located on the banks of Hangzhou’s Grand Canal. Designed to harmonise with its historic surroundings, including the adjacent Xiangji Temple, the centre integrates cultural, commercial, and residential spaces, creating a dynamic environment where contemporary art and urban life intersect. It stands as a symbol of Hangzhou’s commitment to balancing heritage and innovation.