Having previously held positions at Hayward Gallery, Turner Contemporary, International Foundation Manifesta, documenta 14, and most recently as Curator of Chicago Architecture Biennial 2019, Sepake brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the organisation.

Sepake joins Iniva during its 25th year, celebrated with a ground-breaking new project, Commission to Collect, which aims to transform curatorial practice around commissioning within major British art galleries and museums, and will see the commission of new artworks by British based artists of African and/or Asian descent, accessioned into major public art collections over three years.

The new Artistic Director will also focus on developing the opportunities arising from the recent move of Iniva and the Stuart Hall Library to its new home on John Islip Street, London. With plans to digitise its collection, and extend its educational and outreach work, this makes for an exciting period of progression and growth for the organisation.

Sepake Angiama, Iniva’s Artistic Director said: “I’m really pleased to be accepting the position of director of Iniva on its 25th anniversary. This institution has provided an important space for vital research and made a significant contribution to the enriching of the discursive field of artistic and curatorial practice. With the support of the team at Iniva I look forward to stewarding this organisation as it continues the work of broadening our understanding of African and Asian artists and the diaspora.”

Anita Bhalla, Chair of Trustees at Iniva, said: “We are thrilled that Sepake will be joining us at this exciting time. Her vast experience will ensure that Iniva continues to be an important and challenging voice in the arts. We have an incredible portfolio of work to take forward including our education and outreach programmes and cannot think of anyone more suitable to help shape this.”

Sepake Angiama takes up leadership at Iniva as previous Director Melanie Keen makes the move to become Director at Wellcome Collection. Iniva is immensely grateful for the leadership and direction Melanie has given in her time at the charity.

Sepake Angiama is a curator and educator interested in discursive practices, the social framework, and how we shape and form our experiences in understanding the world. She is inspired by working with artists who disrupt or provoke the social sphere through action, design, dance, and architecture. She is the initiator of Under the Mango Tree: Sites of Learning in cooperation with ifa (Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen), Stuttgart. Through notions of unlearning and indigenous knowledge, artist-led project spaces, libraries, and schools interested in unfolding discourses gather to discuss and build radical education practices that destabilize the European canon. Previously, Angiama was Head of Education for documenta 14, Kassel, 2017; Director of Education for Manifesta 10, Saint Petersburg, 2014; and Curator of Public Programmes at Turner Contemporary, Margate. She has created education programs for several institutions, including Tate Modern, London, and Hayward Gallery, London. Angiama lives and works in transition.