April 24 – June 24
Acclaimed Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama was guest of honour at the opening of exhibition in the Museum of King Jan III in Wilanów in Warsaw from 24 April – 24 June 2025 which features
- Preview of OmenaArt Foundation’s African Art Collection
- Works that will be auctioned in the TOP CHARITY Auction on 7 June
- Artis Arundo Spotlight exhibition of works by emerging artists for silent auction
- Sculpture Park created in the grounds of the Palace in cooperation with Opera Gallery
Mahama shares the OmenaArt Foundation’s mission to engage and educate communities through culture and to encourage a deeper understanding of African art in Europe
On 24 April, at an event in the Orangery at Warsaw’s Baroque Wilanów Palace, Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama spoke to an international audience of collectors, philanthropists and media to officially open the OmenaArt Foundation exhibitions. His jute sack NANDANBIA (2019), is part of the Foundation’s African art collection and is on display as part of the exhibition.
The TOP CHARITY Art exhibition in the Orangery of the Wilanów Palace, showcases works for the TOP CHARITY Auction and the OmenaArt Foundation’s growing collection of contemporary African art and runs until 24 June. The Baroque gardens of the Royal Wilanów Palace have been transformed into a sculpture park, curated by Isabel de Vasconcellos (author of Fourth Plinth: How London Created the Smallest Sculpture Park in the World) and Natalia Bradbury (Head of OmenaArt Foundation). The exhibition showcases contemporary masterpieces in partnership with Opera Gallery, blending historical heritage with contemporary and modern sculpture offering visitors an opportunity to experience world class art in an iconic setting. Artists represented include Niki de Saint Phalle and Manolo Valdes. Amedeo Modigliani’s Tête de Cariatide is also on display.
“What’s important to highlight is that at TOP CHARITY Art, art isn’t limited to museum walls. It translates into real social impact and direct support for those most in need. It’s a clear example of how art collecting and philanthropy can go hand in hand,” says Omenaa Mensah, founder of the OmenaArt Foundation and member of the Tate’s African Acquisitions Committee.
In the Orangery of Wilanów, four sections showcase works available in the TOP Charity Auction and the silent auction Artist Arundo Spotlight, as well as works from the OmenaArt Foundation’s collection of African art. Alongside Mahama, the African artists displayed include veteran Ghanaian sculptor El Anatsui who has exhibited worldwide and was included in the 2023 Time 100 list of the world’s most influential people and South African photographer Zanele Muholi who recently had a solo show at Tate Modern.
Ibrahim Mahama uses the transformation of materials to explore themes of commodity, migration, globalisation and economic exchange. Often made in collaboration with others, his large-scale installations employ materials gathered from urban environments, such as remnants of wood, or jute sacks which are stitched together and draped over architectural structures. His work NANDANBIA (2019), points to histories of trade and commerce and the personal stories of their handlers, having been used to transport the prized Ghanaian cocoa bean, as well as other food staples and natural fuel.
Like Omenaa, Ibrahim is passionate about giving back and creating opportunities. The proceeds from the sale of his art support his work in Tamale, Ghana including The Savannah Centre for Contemporary Art (SCCA) and Red Clay, a vast studio complex hosting artist residencies, film screenings, lectures and workshops.
„Culture and education has never been more important than the times we live in, I strongly believe the work of the Omenaa Foundation will make a significant contribution to this. The question of culture is that of the soul” says Ibrahim Mahama.
The TOP CHARITY Auction is founded and organised by Omenaa Mensah and Rafał Brzoska. Honoured as The Best Luxury Auction Event in Europe in 2024, the auction unites the worlds of art, business, and philanthropy, achieving record breaking fundraising for both Polish and international foundations. Each year, the auction showcases 15 works by leading global and Polish artists, handpicked by the OmenaArt Foundation’s Artistic Council – an esteemed panel of art market experts. This year’s edition presents an opportunity for collectors to acquire pieces by Jeff Koons, Pablo Atchugarry, Rita Mawuena Benissan, Larry Amponsah, and Tadeusz Kantor. Opera Gallery has donated three Jeff Koons sculptures for the auction.
The Artis Arundo Spotlight, a silent auction open to the public, is more accessible and specifically raises funds for emerging artists, further reinforcing the charity’s mission.
Proceeds from the auction will support recognised charity projects which are carefully selected by Philantropic Consortium initiated by founders during second edition of the TOP CHARITY Auction and underscoring the power of art to inspire and uplift communities worldwide by connecting foundations.
The TOP CHARITY Auction will take place on Saturday 7 June.
Notes to editors
OmenaArt Foundation
OmenaArt Foundation is a pioneer in art and philanthropy, delivering innovative artistic projects in Poland and worldwide. Its mission is to support artists and promote contemporary art from Europe and Africa, with a strong focus on public art. The foundation is also actively involved in the revitalization of historic buildings, including the Wilanów Palace.
Additionally, the OmenaArt Foundation coordinates the TOP CHARITY Auction – the number one philanthropic event in Europe, which supports international artistic and charitable initiatives.
Omenaa Mensah
Omenaa Mensah is a leader in art, philanthropy, and business, driving impactful initiatives across Europe and Africa. She is the founder of the OmenaArt Foundation and Omenaa Foundation, advancing education, cultural preservation and social change and leads the Kids’ Haven School in Ghana, now expanding with a Sports & Art Complex.
As the first Polish member of Tate’s Africa Acquisitions Committee, she champions African art globally. Through the OmenaArt Foundation, she promotes art investment and cultural preservation, including restoration projects in Poland, Italy, and Malta.
She created the TOP CHARITY Auction, raising €20 million and twice awarded Best Luxury Auction Event in Europe. She also launched Poland’s first Philanthropic Consortium, channelling proceeds to local and global foundations like the Obama Foundation and RafaNadal Foundation.
As Vice President of the Rafał Brzoska Foundation, she provides scholarships in 12 countries. In 2022, she co-organized Poland’s largest private humanitarian convoy to Ukraine.
Honoured with the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Rebirth of Poland, Omena continues to redefine philanthropy and cultural leadership worldwide.
Proceeds from the auction will go to projects worldwide selected by the Philanthropic Consortium and the Omenaa Foundation, which responsible for organisation of the TOP CHARITY Auction.
Ibrahim Mahama
Ibrahim Mahama uses the transformation of materials toexplore themes of commodity, migration, globalisation and economic exchange. Often made in collaboration with others, his large-scale installations employ materials gathered from urban environments, such as remnants of wood, or jute sacks which are stitched together and draped over architectural structures. Mahama’s interest in material, process and audience first led him to focus on jute sacks that are synonymous with the trade markets of Ghana where he lives and works. Fabricated in South East Asia, the sacks are imported by the Ghana Cocoa Boardsto transport cocoa beans and eventually end up as multi-functional objects, used for the transportation of food,charcoal and other commodities. ‘You find different points of aesthetics within the surface of the sacks’ fabric’, Mahama has said. ‘I am interested in how crisis and failureare absorbed into this material with a strong reference to global transaction and how capitalist structures work.’
Ibrahim Mahama was born in 1987 in Tamale, Ghana. He lives and works in Accra, Kumasi and Tamale. Solo exhibitions include the Barbican Centre (2024); Kunsthalle Osnabrück, Germany (2023); Oude Kerk, Amsterdam (2022); Frac Pays de la Loire (2022); The High Line, New York (2021); University of Michigan Museum of Art (2020); The Whitworth, University of Manchester (2019); Norval Foundation, Cape Town (2019); Tel Aviv Art Museum, Israel (2016); and K.N.U.S.T Museum, Kumasi, Ghana (2013). He has participated in numerous group exhibitions including Sharjah Biennial 15 (2023); 18th International Venice Architecture Biennale (2023); the 35th Bienal de São Paulo (2023); Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (2021); Centre Pompidou, Paris (2020); 22nd Biennale of Sydney (2020); Stellenbosch Triennale (2020); 6th Lubumbashi Biennale, Democratic Republic of the Congo (2019); Ghana Pavilion, 58th Venice Biennale (2019); Documenta 14, Athens and Kassel (2017); Broad Art Museum, Michigan State University (2016); Kunsthal Charlottenborg, Copenhagen and Holbæk (2016); 56th Venice Biennale (2015); and Artist’s Rooms, K21, Düsseldorf (2015). Mahama was also appointed Artistic Director of the 35th Ljubljana Biennale of Graphic Arts, Ljubljana (2023).