To internationally acclaimed artists will join the University of the Free State (UFS) soon in its International Institute of the Arts (IIA).

Ghanaian artist and a leading voice in contemporary art, Ibrahim Mahama from Ghana, will join the institute as the end of March, while Dr Ashraf Jamal, respected scholar, writer and cultural commentator will join the IIA in April as the two respective Artists-in-Residence.

Prof Alexander Johnson, Director: IIA, says they are pleased to welcome two such respected and influential artists to the institute and the UFS. “These residencies are made possible through the generous support of the Oppenheimer Memorial Trust and promise to foster critical dialogue around materiality, memory, decoloniality, and the role of art in shaping social futures. 

“Mahama’s presence at the UFS marks a significant moment for the IIA, the Fine Arts Department at UFS and the broader South African cultural landscape. On the other hand, Dr Jamal’s appointment reflects the IIA’s ongoing commitment to intellectual excellence, critical inquiry and the advancement of indigenous and contemporary artistic knowledge,” says Johnson. 

After completing his studies in Painting and Sculpture at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in 2013, Mahama developed a practice grounded in material histories and collective memory. Working with jute sacks, wood, paper, and everyday materials, Mahama explores the often-unseen narratives of labour, migration, and exchanges that shape our global condition. His monumental textile installations and architectural interventions transform surfaces into living archives-traces of time, place, and human experience.

Collaboration lies at the core of Mahama’s work.Engaging artisans, architects, and local communities, his socially responsive practice extends beyond exhibition spaces into long-term cultural initiatives in northern Ghana.

In 2019, he founded the Savannah Centre for Contemporary Art (SCCA) in Tamale, followed by Red Clay Studio and research complex (2020), and Nkrumah Volini (2021), a repurposed grain silo and educational space. These initiatives have significantly contributed to the growth and international visibility of contemporary art in the region.

Mahama’s work has been exhibited globally at major institutions and exhibitions, including a forthcoming solo exhibition at the Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain (2026). Recent presentations include Kunsthalle Wien (2025), Kunsthalle Bern (2025), Fruitmarket (2024), Palazzo Diedo (2024), and the Barbican Centre (2023-24). His work has also featured at Centre Pompidou (2020), documenta 14, the Venice Biennale, the Bienal de São Paulo, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, among others.

His numerous accolades include being named Principal Prince Claus Laureate (2020), serving as Artistic Director of the 35th Ljubljana Biennale of Graphic Arts (2023), receiving the inaugural Sam Gilliam Award (2024), and earning the Gold Award in the Established Artist category at the inaugural Art Basel Awards (2025). In 2025, the Republic of Ghana honoured him with a diplomatic passport in recognition of his cultural contributions.

Jamal is widely recognised for his work in visual art, cultural studies and African creative knowledge.

He is currently associated with the Visual Identities in Art and Design Research Centre (VIAD) at the University of Johannesburg and serves as an advisor to the ARAK Collection of African Art. His research on contemporary African art, the African diaspora and global cultural relations align closely with the IIA’s commitment to decolonial scholarship and African-centred knowledge systems.

He has produced an influential and accessible body of work, including books, catalogue essays and public lectures presented at leading institutions internationally. His scholarship consistently bridges academic and public discourse, enriching conversations on art and culture across diverse platforms.

During his residency, Jamal will contribute to the academic programme and will be hosted by the UFS Department of Art History and Image Studies. His engagement will include lectures, seminars and public events, as well as the development of new published research, further strengthening the IIA’s research profile.