Before Mashonda Tifrere became a curator and art adviser, she was a singer—collaborating with people like Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Eve, DMX, Nas and Swizz Beatz. While taking a break from her musical career, Tifrere founded the nonprofit organisations ArtLeadHER and Art Genesis in 2016. ArtLeadHER provides visual-arts education and exhibition opportunities to women and teenage girls, while Art Genesis helps organise shows for emerging and underrepresented artists.
In the past decade, Tifrere has curated more than 40 exhibitions and worked with more than 250 women worldwide. Last year, Tifrere worked with the University of California, San Diego, to create a mindfulness audio tour for its 22-piece Stuart Collection of public art. She also recently curated a Faith Ringgold show for the university’s art gallery, which opens on Saturday (28 February).
Tifrere grew up in Harlem in the 1980s, and she credits her artist uncle and her art-collecting godmother with inspiring her at an early age. Based in San Diego since 2020, Tifrere’s own art collection centres on supporting living Black artists. Over the years, she has acquired works by artists including Derrick Adams, Patrick Alston, Tawny Chatmon, Monica Ikegwu, Nate Lewis, Lauren Pearce and Chantel Walkes.
Tifrere’s collection includes Gordon Parks’s black-and-white photograph Untitled, Harlem, NYC (1952) Courtesy Mashonda Tifrere
The Art Newspaper: What are you looking forward to during Frieze Los Angeles this year?
Mashonda Tifrere: I’m looking forward to the Focus sector at Frieze—curated by Essence Harden—which champions emerging artists.
Where do you like to eat and drink in or near Santa Monica?
The brunch at Ivy at the Shore will always be my favourite.
What was the first work you ever bought?
An Ansel Adams print titled Oak Tree, Snowstorm from 1948. I was 20 years old when I bought it in New York.
What was the most recent work you bought?
I recently bought a beautiful painting by Hiba Schahbaz. Her first major exhibition, The Garden, is on view until 16 March at the Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami.
Tifrere at Hiba Schahbaz’s studio with her latest acquisition, Nude (2026) Courtesy Mashonda Tifrere
How quickly do you decide to buy a work of art?
I always sleep on it; I give myself 24 to 72 hours. Honestly, I’ve never bought an artwork impulsively.
What do you regret not buying when you had the chance?
I have no regrets. And I feel good about all my acquisitions. If a work is meant to be mine, there’s always time to buy it.
If you could have any work from any museum in the world, what would it be?
Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Untitled (Skull) (1981) from The Broad.
Who are you rooting for at the Oscars this year?
Either Michael B. Jordan or Leonardo DiCaprio.