Otobong Nkanga, major solo exhibition in Lausanne extends her European presence
Published on 08/25/2026 at 16:42 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Otobong Nkanga anchors the summer program at the Musée cantonal des Beaux-Arts Lausanne with the expansive exhibition Otobong Nkanga. I dreamt of you in colours. As the MCBA announcement details, the show runs from April 3 to August 23, 2026 and was conceived closely with the artist. MCBA exhibition page
The solo show in Lausanne
The Lausanne chapter of I dreamt of you in colours presents a cross-section of Nkanga’s practice, including emblematic installations, photo series, recent works and a significant number of drawings. MCBA describes the exhibition as tracing recurring subjects in her work from the late 1990s to the present. MCBA annual program dossier
According to MCBA, the exhibition is organized with the Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris and first appeared in Paris from October 10, 2025 to February 22, 2026 before traveling to Lausanne. Artforum’s Artguide lists the Lausanne dates as April 3 to August 23, 2026, with an opening reception on April 2. Artforum Artguide entry
Exhibition & show context
Local coverage emphasizes the scale of the Lausanne exhibition, mentioning around 140 works realized with the artist and in collaboration with the Musée d’Art Moderne in Paris. The show is described as biographical, linking personal narratives to broader questions of color, landscape and extraction.
The exhibition title I dreamt of you in colours reflects Nkanga’s interest in how pigments and materials connect histories of land use, mining and migration. MCBA notes that the presentation includes early drawings shown for the first time, underscoring how long-term research threads run through her recent installations.
Further background on Otobong Nkanga’s exhibitions
For more reporting and context on Otobong Nkanga’s institutional shows, market developments and awards, the AD HOC NEWS archive offers additional articles and updates.
How the artist works
Otobong Nkanga, born in 1974 in Kano, Nigeria, works across tapestry, drawing, photography, installation, performance and text-based pieces. Tate notes that her practice often addresses the politics of land, resource extraction and memory through layered images and materials.
In exhibitions such as From Where I Stand at Tate St Ives, she has combined wall paintings, sculptures and photographic installations to invite visitors to navigate constellations of works. That show included pieces like The Weight of Scars and Tsumeb Fragments, which deal with mining histories and bodily traces.
Where the artist stands now
Against this backdrop, Otobong Nkanga’s exhibition Otobong Nkanga. I dreamt of you in colours at MCBA Lausanne remains on view through August 23, 2026, consolidating her institutional presence across Europe.
Key facts on Otobong Nkanga
- Artist: Otobong Nkanga
- Medium / Genre: Installation, tapestry, drawing and performance
- Born: 1974, Kano, Nigeria
- Place(s) of practice: Studio practice between Europe and Africa, including long-term collaborations with institutions in Paris, Lausanne and London
- Active since: Late 1990s, with early installations and performances addressing land and memory
- Key work groups: The Weight of Scars, Tsumeb Fragments, From Where I Stand, I dreamt of you in colours
- Current/last exhibition: Otobong Nkanga. I dreamt of you in colours, Musée cantonal des Beaux-Arts Lausanne, April 3 to August 23, 2026
- Major collections: Tate (London), Stedelijk Museum (Amsterdam), Sharjah Biennial holdings and other European public collections
- Awards: Finkenwerder Art Prize 2026 (grant of 20,000 euros)
- Next date: Exhibition Otobong Nkanga. I dreamt of you in colours at MCBA Lausanne runs until August 23, 2026
Frequently asked questions about Otobong Nkanga
Where is Otobong Nkanga currently on view in 2026?
Otobong Nkanga’s major solo exhibition I dreamt of you in colours is on view at the Musée cantonal des Beaux-Arts Lausanne from April 3 to August 23, 2026, following its initial presentation at the Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris.
What does the exhibition I dreamt of you in colours show?
MCBA describes the exhibition as a broad survey including installations, photo series, recent works and many drawings, some from her early career shown publicly for the first time, highlighting recurring themes of land, color and memory.
Which institutions have previously presented Otobong Nkanga’s work?
Her work has appeared at Tate St Ives, Tate Modern, the Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris, the Musée cantonal des Beaux-Arts Lausanne, and in biennial contexts such as Sharjah, underlining a strong institutional network across Europe and beyond.
This article was produced with a.i. support and editorially reviewed. All statements without guarantee; auction results, exhibition dates and awards may change at short notice.
