About the Gallery

Preserving a Legacy. Celebrating East African Art. 

Diawara & Schaffner Gallery was established to honour the extraordinary lives and enduring legacy of Adama Diawara and Ruth Schaffner, two remarkable individuals whose vision, generosity, and dedication helped shape the story of contemporary art in East Africa. Inspired by their pioneering work through Gallery Watatu, the gallery continues their belief that art has the power to preserve culture, inspire dialogue, and connect people across generations and across borders. 

More than an online gallery, Diawara & Schaffner Gallery is a living archive dedicated to documenting, celebrating, and promoting the rich artistic heritage of East Africa. It exists to preserve the stories behind the artists, the artworks, and the cultural movements that have influenced the region’s creative identity over the past several decades. 

At the heart of the gallery is a deep respect for artists. We believe artists are not only creators of beautiful works but also historians, storytellers, and interpreters of society. Their work reflects the traditions, aspirations, challenges, and everyday experiences of East African communities. By presenting artworks alongside artist biographies, historical context, exhibitions, interviews, and scholarly research, we hope to encourage a deeper appreciation of African art and its place in global cultural history. 

The gallery also celebrates the remarkable contribution made by Adama Diawara and Ruth Schaffner in nurturing artistic talent, creating opportunities for emerging artists, and building international appreciation for East African contemporary art. Their commitment extended far beyond exhibiting artworks—they built relationships, encouraged creativity, and helped many artists establish successful careers while contributing significantly to the cultural landscape of the region. 

While education, preservation, and cultural documentation remain our primary mission, the gallery also seeks to support artists by connecting carefully selected works with collectors, institutions, and individuals who value authentic African art. Every exhibition, publication, artist profile, and collection featured by the gallery is intended to contribute to a broader understanding of East Africa’s remarkable artistic legacy. 

As the collection continues to grow, Diawara & Schaffner Gallery aspires to become an important digital resource for artists, collectors, researchers, students, museums, and art enthusiasts around the world—a place where the history of East African contemporary art is preserved, celebrated, and shared for future generations. 

We warmly invite you to explore the collection, discover the stories behind the artists, and become part of this continuing journey of preserving one of Africa’s most important artistic legacies. 

Our Mission

To preserve, celebrate, and promote the artistic legacy of Adama Diawara and Ruth Schaffner by documenting East Africa's rich artistic heritage, supporting artists, fostering cultural education, and connecting African art with audiences around the world.

Our Vision

To become one of Africa's leading digital galleries and cultural archives, recognised internationally for preserving the history of East African contemporary art while inspiring new generations of artists, researchers, collectors, and art lovers.

Our Core Values

Preserving Heritage

We are committed to safeguarding the history, stories, and cultural significance of East African contemporary art for future generations.

Celebrating Artists

We honour both established and emerging artists by sharing their work, documenting their journeys, and recognising their contribution to society.

Cultural Education

We believe art should educate, inspire curiosity, and encourage meaningful conversations across cultures and generations.

Integrity

We present artworks, artist histories, and cultural narratives with honesty, authenticity, and respect.

Accessibility

We strive to make East African art accessible to audiences everywhere through thoughtful digital experiences, exhibitions, and educational resources.

Stewardship

We see ourselves as custodians of an important artistic legacy and are committed to preserving it responsibly for future generations.

What We Do 

Diawara & Schaffner Gallery serves as a cultural platform dedicated to preserving and promoting East African contemporary art through a range of carefully curated initiatives, including: 

  • Curated online exhibitions featuring established and emerging East African artists.  
  • Artist profiles that document careers, influences, and creative journeys.  
  • A growing digital archive celebrating the history of Gallery Watatu and its contribution to African art.  
  • Research articles, essays, interviews, and educational resources exploring East African art and culture.  
  • Collections of selected artworks available to collectors and institutions.  
  • Collaborations with artists, historians, galleries, museums, and cultural organisations.  
  • Programmes that encourage greater appreciation, documentation, and preservation of Africa’s artistic heritage.  

Our Commitment 

Every artwork, artist story, exhibition, and historical record shared through Diawara & Schaffner Gallery reflects our commitment to preserving a remarkable cultural legacy while supporting the future of East African art. We believe that the most meaningful tribute to Adama Diawara and Ruth Schaffner is not simply to remember what they accomplished, but to continue the work they so passionately began—championing artists, fostering creativity, and ensuring that the rich artistic heritage of East Africa continues to inspire generations to come.