Black Artists Reclaiming Cultural Narratives: Key Exhibitions in 2025

In 2025, I see Black artists at the forefront of cultural transformation, using their work to reclaim, reshape, and redefine narratives that have long been overlooked or misrepresented. Across art, film, music, and community projects, these creatives are driving conversations that celebrate Black identity, resilience, and joy. From groundbreaking exhibitions to powerful films and resonant music, the cultural landscape is being reimagined by voices that center authenticity and heritage.

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One of the most exciting highlights for the art world is the retrospective of Kerry James Marshall at the Royal Academy in London . As a huge fan of Marshall, I’m thrilled to see his large-scale paintings finally getting the retrospective they deserve. Although Kerry James Marshall isn’t considered an emerging talent, I’ve always wanted to acquire one of his paintings. Marshall, renowned for centering Black subjects, will have his work on display from September 2025 to January 2026. This retrospective aims to address the historical absence of Black figures in Western art and spotlight Marshall’s commitment to rectifying that omission (Financial Times).

Another key exhibition I’m looking forward to is Somewhere in the Night, the People Dance by Raphaël Barontini, running from February 21, 2025, to May 11, 2025 in Palais de Tokyo, Paris. Barontini's work offers a reinterpretation of African and Caribbean history, blending contemporary techniques with archival materials. His pieces explore figuration and classical painting traditions, encompassing paintings, costumes, textiles, sound works, and performances. Inspired by Aimé Césaire’s The Tragedy of King Christophe, the exhibition highlights the joy and collective power in cultural histories (Exhibition Details).

Equally exciting is Paris Noir, which runs from March 19 to June 30, 2025 in Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris . This exhibition highlights the profound influence of Black artists in France from the 1940s to the 2000s, showcasing 150 Afro-descendant artists, many of whom have never been exhibited in France.

Through a rich array of works, including abstract, surrealist, and figurative pieces, it explores Paris as a center for artistic innovation and Black cultural expression, emphasizing the role of these artists in shaping modern and postmodern art.

With these landmark exhibitions, 2025 stands as a defining year for Black artists, as they continue to reshape the global cultural narrative through their creativity, resilience, and powerful storytelling.