An exhibition of contemporary African art exploring Christianity as an integral part of everyday life on the continent has opened in Moscow, Russia’s TASS news agency reported.

Titled “Fervent / Unfettered”, the exhibition is being held at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences and features more than 40 works by contemporary artists from across Africa. The project is organized by the Ya-A Gallery in partnership with the Institute of Oriental Studies and the Assembly of the Peoples of the World.

The exhibition examines how Christian faith is expressed in daily life and collective practices in African societies. According to the curators, the concept is built around two complementary states of belief. “Fervor” presents Christianity as an ethical foundation of everyday existence, reflected in work, care for others and domestic rituals where faith becomes part of routine life. “Unfettered” focuses on the vivid, emotional dimensions of faith, including worship services, songs, dances and music, where Christian traditions intertwine with local cultural forms.

Ya-A Gallery founder Yanina Dubeikovskaya said the works on display trace a person’s journey toward understanding God — from a subtle, almost invisible presence to a conscious experience of the sacred in the surrounding world.

Alickber Alikberov, director of the Institute of Oriental Studies, noted that the project demonstrates how a universal idea of faith can be interpreted differently across cultural contexts, including within African traditions.

The exhibition includes paintings, sculptures, textiles, photography and audiovisual works. Participating artists include Kalama Msau, Mulenga Mubanga, the Kalingalingaart collective, Boet Nyariri and others. Among the highlighted works are interpretations of the “Last Supper” by Kalama Msau (2023) and Mulenga Mubanga (2024).

“Fervent / Unfettered” is being presented for the second time. It was first shown in December last year at the State Museum of Urban Sculpture in St. Petersburg, where it attracted significant interest from both the public and the professional art community.