JD MALAT GALLERY X AFRICAN QUEEN KOJO MARFO INSTALLATION LAUNCHES DURING RAMADAN AT J1 BEACH

African Queen Dubai unveils a special collaboration with JD Malat Gallery which operates in Downtown, Dubai and Mayfair, London, presenting an installation of works by Ghanaian-British artist Kojo Marfo at its J1 Beach location. Launching during the holy month of Ramadan through to summer, Marfo’s vibrant paintings enter into dialogue with the spirit of African Queen – the iconic Mediterranean restaurant founded on the French Riviera in 1969.

Installed throughout the venue, the works transform African Queen into an immersive cultural setting where gastronomy, art and atmosphere converge. From sunlit interiors to open terraces overlooking the shoreline, guests encounter contemporary African art within a space defined by Riviera elegance and cosmopolitan energy.

Born in 1980, Kojo Marfo is recognised for his distinctive AfroGenesis style – an Afrocentric “new beginning” that fuses Cubist visual language with Akan artistic traditions. His layered figurative works explore identity and spirituality, reframing African heritage through a contemporary lens. Rooted in Ghanaian artistic traditions while engaging with European modernism, Marfo’s work is expressive, symbolic and internationally resonant.

This dialogue between heritage and reinterpretation mirrors African Queen’s own story. Founded in 1969 in Beaulieu-sur-Mer, African Queen embodies Mediterranean art de vivre, where cuisine, culture and celebration unfold in an atmosphere of warmth and timeless glamour. Inspired by the 1951 film The African Queen, the venue’s layered textures and design create an environment that feels transportive yet refined.

At J1 Beach, the concept transitions seamlessly from relaxed daytime dining to vibrant evening gatherings.

Throughout Ramadan, African Queen welcomes guests for sea-view Iftar gatherings, offering a curated set menu designed for sharing. The experience begins with dates and lentil soup, followed by Arabic mezze with warm bread, lamb samosa and stuffed vine leaves. A choice of lamb, beef kebab, chicken tagine or vegetarian tagine follows, concluding with seasonal fruit. Soft drinks, coffee and tea are included per person.

The JD Malat Gallery and African Queen Kojo Marfo installation runs from February 2026 through summer 2026.

À la carte dining is available daily. Iftar is served from sunset throughout Ramadan, Iftar is served from sunset until 9:00 PM, with set menus starting from 296 AED per person, including welcome dates and apricot, sharing starters, a choice of main course, and dessert. The Suhoor menu is available throughout Ramadan from 10:30 PM until 1:30 AM, with last orders taken at 12:45 AM.