$270 million philanthropic megadonors Jorge M. and Darlene Pérez and family donate 36 works to museum by artists from Africa and the African diaspora

Tate has announced a landmark gift from Jorge M. and Darlene Pérez, whose enduring commitment to cultural philanthropy continues to shape the global art landscape.

The couple has donated 36 works by artists from Africa and the African diaspora, a sweeping gesture that reflects their belief in art’s power to connect communities, expand understanding, and preserve diverse creative legacies for future generations.

The gift forms part of a larger philanthropic initiative by the Pérez family that has already made a lasting mark on Tate.

Earlier this year, they donated a major Joan Mitchell triptych, now on view at Tate Modern, and established a multi-million-dollar endowment to support the museum’s international curatorial work.

That endowment has funded the creation of the Jorge M. Pérez Senior Curator, International Art, Africa and Diaspora position, now held by Osei Bonsu, a leading voice in the field of African and diasporic art.

This second wave of donations brings together an extraordinary range of artistic voices—from pioneering modernists to rising contemporary talents.

It includes paintings by Chéri Samba, Amadou Sanogo, and Joy Labinjo; evocative photographs by Seydou Keïta, Malick Sidibé, Adam Kouyaté, J.D. ‘Okhai Ojeikere, and Rotimi Fani-Kayode; and textile-based works by Yinka Shonibare and Abdoulaye Konaté. Together, these works chart the dynamism and depth of African and diasporic creativity, offering a textured portrait of cultural identity, resilience, and imagination.

Tate Director Maria Balshaw praised the gift as a transformative act of generosity: “The Pérez family’s second major gift to Tate helps us continue that work now and into the future.”

Indeed, this donation not only enriches Tate’s collection but also ensures that the museum’s exhibitions, scholarship, and public programs will increasingly reflect a more inclusive and interconnected story of global art.

For Jorge M. Pérez, founder and chairman of the Miami-based Related Group, this initiative is an extension of a lifelong philosophy: that art and architecture should serve as bridges between people and cultures.

“Darlene and I are honored to share these works with Tate and its audiences,” Pérez said.

“We hope they will inspire others to appreciate and celebrate the extraordinary creativity of artists from Africa and its diaspora.”

The Pérez family’s contribution underscores how private philanthropy can transform public institutions.

Their support ensures that artists from Africa and the diaspora are recognized and celebrated within one of the world’s leading museums—cementing their rightful place in the global narrative of art. In its scope and spirit, the gift embodies the Pérezes’ vision of generosity as a catalyst for cultural connection, education, and lasting legacy.