Grammy-nominated DJ, singer and producer Anané Vega is expanding her creative vision beyond the dance floor with the launch of NUA-ARTE, a new platform dedicated to showcasing contemporary African art and connecting underrepresented artists with international audiences.
Founded alongside Angolan entrepreneur Nilton Viana, NUA-ARTE brings together visual art, storytelling and music, continuing Anané’s longstanding mission of creating opportunities for African creativity to reach the world.
From an Unexpected Discovery in Angola to an International Art Platform
The project began unexpectedly during a trip to Angola, where Anané was performing as a DJ and singer. While visiting the country, she discovered paintings that deeply moved her, eventually purchasing 20 artworks without any intention of launching a larger project.
What started as a personal collection evolved into something much bigger when Viana approached her about collaborating. Together, they began reconnecting the paintings with their creators, discovering their stories and developing a platform that could bring their work to a wider audience.
The partnership combines Anané’s international experience in music, artistic vision and cultural connections with Viana’s relationships with African artists and expertise in technology.
Continuing the Mission Behind Nulu Music
For Anané, NUA-ARTE represents a natural evolution of the philosophy behind Nulu Music, the record label she founded in 2009.
Known for championing African musical talent and helping pioneer the Afro sound internationally, the label has spent years connecting artists and audiences across continents.
Now, she is bringing that same approach to contemporary visual art, using her international network and experience in electronic music to create new opportunities for African artists.
The initiative also reflects her Cape Verdean roots and her commitment to celebrating the diversity of African culture through different creative expressions.
The Untold Stories Behind African Art
At the heart of NUA-ARTE are the stories behind the paintings. The featured artists span generations, from their late twenties to their late sixties, including refugees and former soldiers who experienced displacement during civil wars.
Others developed their techniques through artistic traditions passed down by parents and grandparents, carrying generations of knowledge into their own creative practices.
Working with materials ranging from acrylic paint to dyed sand, artists such as Blanche Buanga, Simão Zmbu, Zico Pemble and José Proença transform personal memories, dreams and everyday experiences into distinctive visual expressions.
Their stories reflect the diversity of African experiences, while challenging the limited international visibility often afforded to artists working outside established galleries and art markets.
A Digital Gallery Connecting Artists With the World
Beyond physical exhibitions, NUA-ARTE is launching a digital gallery where visitors can discover artworks, explore artists’ biographies, hear their stories and purchase available pieces.
The platform purchases selected works directly from artists, providing immediate financial support, and offers them an additional commission when their artwork is sold.
The initiative currently represents artists from Angola, Zimbabwe, Congo and Kenya, with the ambitious long-term goal of showcasing talent from all 54 African countries.
To support this expansion, NUA-ARTE is developing a network of local ambassadors who will help discover artists, document their work and create paid opportunities within African communities.
The goal is to build a sustainable ecosystem where artistic recognition translates into meaningful financial support and long-term opportunities.
Unseen, Unheard: Where African Art Meets Electronic Music
Bringing the worlds of visual art and electronic music together, NUA-ARTE is also developing Unseen, Unheard, a traveling exhibition combining contemporary African artworks, personal stories and music from the countries represented.
The concept builds on Anané’s experience with Nulu Movement, which has spent a decade bringing music and community together at Le Bain in New York City.
Through these exhibitions, visitors will be able to experience African creativity beyond traditional gallery settings, exploring the connections between visual expression, music, identity and culture.
New York Launch on November 14, Followed by Miami Art Week
The project will officially launch on November 14 at Le Bain in New York City, with its first contemporary African art exhibition and website launch taking place from 6 PM to 10 PM.
The celebration will continue with Anané’s Nulu Movement party, featuring La Santa and Smurfoudirty, running until 4 AM.
The initiative will then head to Miami Art Week on December 2, with a second exhibition at aAO Miami from 7 PM to midnight.
The Miami event will combine contemporary African art, music and cuisine, featuring performances by Anané, Louie Vega and DJ Wasabi.
Illuminating Unseen Voices Through Art and Music
Under the mission “Illuminating Unseen Voices,” NUA-ARTE aims to do more than exhibit artwork. It seeks to build lasting connections between African artists and international audiences, creating opportunities for recognition, financial support and cultural exchange.
For Anané, whose career has been built around connecting people through music, the project marks a new chapter where the dance floor and the art world meet, celebrating African creativity in all its forms.
Event Dates, Locations and Tickets
New York City, November 14, 2026
Le Bain at The Standard, 444 W 13th Street, New York
Art exhibition: 6 PM, 10 PM
Nulu Movement party: 10 PM, 4 AM
Tickets and RSVP: ra.co/events/2576573
Miami Art Week, December 2, 2026
aAO Miami, 4204 NW 2nd Avenue, Miami
Art exhibition and music: 7 PM, 12 AM
Featuring Anané, Louie Vega and DJ Wasabi.
Event information and RSVP: www.nulumusic.com
