The collector’s historic donation of 1,688 artworks will serve as the foundation for the world’s first museum dedicated to contemporary African art in Europe, set to open in 2029.

Jean Pigozzi, the French-Italian entrepreneur, philanthropist, and world-renowned art collector, has donated 1,688 pieces from his celebrated collection of contemporary African art to the city of Cannes. This unprecedented gift marks the largest donation of art ever received by the city and will form the cornerstone of a new museum in Cannes’ historic Suquet district, currently being renovated and prepared for an opening in 2029. The museum will be the first in Europe entirely dedicated to contemporary African art, a long-overlooked yet rapidly growing movement in the global art world.

The donation, which includes paintings, sculptures, installations, photographs, and videos, cements Cannes’ commitment to becoming a cultural hub beyond its famous film festival. The museum will be housed in the former Saint-Roch Chapel, a 19th-century building slated for a significant restoration to accommodate the demands of modern museology. Once complete, the Musée d’Art Contemporain – Collection Jean Pigozzi will serve as a platform to showcase both emerging and established African artists, offering visitors a dynamic, evolving experience of African art through rotating exhibitions.

David Lisnard, the mayor of Cannes, hailed the donation as a transformative moment for the city’s cultural landscape, saying that this contribution enriched the cultural heritage of Cannes and highlighted the city’s universal ambition. “With this museum, Cannes will become the first city in the world to dedicate an institution to such a large portion of Pigozzi’s prestigious collection. This project reinforces Cannes’ role as a centre of creativity and culture on the international stage.”

Pigozzi’s collection is widely regarded as the most comprehensive in the world of contemporary African art. His interest in the field began in 1989 after visiting the groundbreaking Magiciens de la Terre exhibition at the Centre Pompidou in Paris, where he encountered works by artists like Chéri Samba and Bodys Isek Kingelez. Deeply moved by the innovation and vibrancy of African artists, Pigozzi decided to establish the Contemporary African Art Collection (CAAC), which now consists of more than 10,000 works by artists from across the African continent. His collection has been exhibited in leading museums, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, the Guggenheim Bilbao, and the Tate Modern in London.

 
Among the most notable artists represented in the donation are Seydou Keïta, the renowned Malian photographer known for his portraits of post-colonial African life; Chéri Samba, whose paintings are often satirical commentaries on politics and society; and George Lilanga, a Tanzanian artist known for his colorful, surreal paintings and wooden sculptures. The collection also includes works by Nigerian photographer J.D. ‘Okhai Ojeikere, who famously documented Nigerian hairstyles, and Senegalese artist Seyni Awa Camara, celebrated for her terracotta sculptures.

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The donation also includes 600 photographs taken by Pigozzi himself. A lifelong photographer, Pigozzi has spent decades documenting his interactions with celebrities and his travels around the world. His candid shots, often featuring prominent figures from the worlds of art, film, and politics, provide an intimate look into his life and passions. These photographs will be displayed alongside the contemporary African works, offering a personal lens through which visitors can engage with the collection.

The museum’s permanent collection will cover more than 400 square metres, with a rotating selection of works on display to ensure visitors are constantly experiencing something new. In addition to the permanent collection, the museum will feature temporary exhibitions, artist-focused retrospectives, and thematic shows that will rotate every 18 months. Educational programs, conferences, and workshops will be held in a dedicated space, ensuring the museum is not just a gallery but a vibrant center of cultural exchange and learning.

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For Cannes, this project represents a continuation of its strategy to position itself as a cultural capital, as well as a major destination for art and creativity. It also contributes to strengthening the distinct identity of the city’s historic heart. The Suquet district has become home to numerous private galleries, the Suquet des Art(iste)s and its artist residency, the Museum of World Explorations, and the Cannes School of Fine Arts. In recent years, the city has continually expanded its artistic footprint through initiatives like the renovation of La Malmaison, a museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art that is set to reopen in 2025, and the planned Musée Tuby, focused on Provençal arts. The addition of the Musée d’Art Contemporain – Collection Jean Pigozzi will further elevate Cannes’ status in the global cultural landscape.

This focus on African contemporary art is timely, as artists from across the continent continue to gain recognition on the international stage. While often marginalized in traditional Western art institutions, contemporary African artists are now increasingly celebrated for their innovative approaches to mediums like sculpture, photography, and installation art. The new museum in Cannes will offer a permanent European venue for these artists to be discovered and appreciated by a wider audience.

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Pigozzi’s collection has already been instrumental in bringing African contemporary art into the global spotlight, but this donation ensures that his vision will have a lasting legacy in one of Europe’s most prominent cultural cities. The museum will not only be a showcase for African art but also a testament to the power of personal passion in shaping the way art is collected, preserved, and shared with the world.

Cannes: A Rising Cultural Hub

Though most famous for the glitz and glamour of the Cannes Film Festival, the city has a long and diverse history of artistic engagement. Over the years, Cannes has become a venue for various art exhibitions, cultural festivals, and creative endeavors, ensuring its place on the international cultural stage. From La Malmaison, which focuses on modern and contemporary art, to the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, where large-scale exhibitions and events take place, Cannes is increasingly seen as a city committed to both the entertainment and visual arts.

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The city’s art festivals, such as the Cannes Biennale, attract collectors and enthusiasts from around the world. Furthermore, the Festival de l’Art Russe strengthens Cannes’ connection to the Russian cultural sphere, showcasing works by Russian artists and celebrating the long-standing cultural ties between the two regions. These initiatives, combined with the upcoming Musée d’Art Contemporain – Collection Jean Pigozzi, make Cannes an emerging force in the art world, proving that it is a city capable of much more than hosting film premieres and red-carpet events.

Photo credits

Lead image David Lisnard and Jean Pigozzi © Mairie de Cannes

Photo of Saint-Roch Chapel by Aimelaime – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link

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Collège de la Sagesse
Chéri Samba (1956-), 2004,
Acrylique sur toile
199,5 x 250 cm
©Chéri Samba / Courtesy Mairie de Cannes et The Jean Pigozzi African Art Collection
Photo Maurice Aeschimann

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« Les couleurs de la vie, de la maladie et de la mort : jaune, brune »
Frédéric Bruly Bouabré (1923 – 2014), 1996
Crayon de couleur et stylo bille sur carton
15 x 9 cm
©Frédéric Bruly Bouabré / Courtesy Mairie de Cannes et The Jean Pigozzi African Art
Collection

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Untitled
Seydou Keïta (1921 -2001), 1959
Tirage argentique moderne
59,1 x 49,9 cm
©Seydou Keïta/SKPEAC / Courtesy Mairie de Cannes et The Jean Pigozzi African Art Collection

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Untitled (Suku Sinero Kiko)
J.D. ‘Okhai Ojeikere (1930-2014), 1974
Tirage argentique moderne
70 x 60,5 x 1,9 cm avec cadre
© J.D. ‘Okhai Ojeikere / Courtesy Mairie de Cannes et The Jean Pigozzi African Art Collection
Photo Maurice Aeschimann