The Toso Jura Art Space is located near the Old Umm al Quwain city wall and will be the center of the future tourist district. Our gallery is just 350 meters from the fabulous Vida Resort Hotel and the delightful all new Al Khor Waterfront area.
The gorgeous Al Khor Waterfront
The Managing Partner of Toso Jura has visited over 140 countries in connection with his career in international business development. He has collected contemporary abstract artwork for over 20 years, much of it is on display with further exhibitions planned for 2026.
Most of the artwork in the collection is from sub-Saharan Africa, all colorful original paintings, many that are abstract pieces and some that are more figurative.
Toso Jura is working closely with and promoting some of the most talented contemporary visual artists in Uganda, Malawi and Madagascar. We also have a number of original paintings and / or drawings from Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Liberia, Rwanda and several other sub-Saharan African countries.
The first art we purchased for our collection is from Tanzania, in the Tinga-Tinga style that was referred to as “airport art”. Keith Haring supposedly developed his style from this style of art (whether this is true or false, nobody may ever know) that was originally produced using enamel paints on hardboard.
Tinga-Tinga style painting from old master Sayuki Mtindiko
We next purchased artwork in Ghana, some of the artists noted here went on to become quite successful. Notably Foster Sakyiamah and Robert Osei Anim, we wish we had more paintings from these artists.
An early work from acclaimed Ghanaian artist Foster Sakyiamah
Zimbabwe is another country where we added to our collection. We purchased a few pieces from Lovemore Kambudzi, His artwork is hung in the National Gallery in Harare and his paintings continue to sell at auction for considerably high prices.
Triptych of an amusing BBQ scene from acclaimed Zimbabwean artist Lovemore Kambudzi
One African country that has really stood out from the many others is Uganda where a real “art scene” seemed to develop overnight in the early 2000s. Toso Jura is working closely with an artist in Kampala named Mr. Denis Mubiru. We have purchased a few dozen pieces from him with more coming. He has also been represented by a well-respected South African gallery for several years. We are connected with several other artists in Uganda as well.
Large acrylic on canvas from acclaimed Ugandan artist Denis Mubiru
Madagascar was the most recent surprise and a place where they have an incredible modern art scene. We were fortunate to meet one of the best-known visual artists in the country, Mr Leon Fulgence. This was in Antsirabe at his studio where we purchased several of his paintings. Since our visit in 2025 we have commissioned several of his abstract paintings.
Oil on linen from one of Madagascar’s best known artists – Leon Fulgence
We cannot omit Malawi, one of our favorite African countries despite being dreadfully poor. Toso Jura has purchased over 30 different paintings / batk works from the best-known artists in both Blantyre and Lilongwe.
Large acrylic on canvas from the brilliant Malawian artist S.Bema
Toso Jura has collected artwork from 20 different countries in Africa primarily purchased direct from the artists. Best of all we have collected some fabulous memories and long-time friends / contacts as well.
Though the majority of the artwork on display is from Africa, we have some stand-out art from Myanmar that was acquired in 2025. While in Yangon I met with famous movie director and visual artist Pan Gyi Soe Moe for tea in his home studio where we had a lengthy chat about art in general, fascinating guy and quite energetic for 80 years old.
The winter weather in the UAE is near perfect from October to April but the summers can be unbearably hot and the Toso Jura management can be found in their farm house in Italy while not out sourcing Italian made sculpture and handmade glass / ceramics from the 1960-70s.