THE GRAPA is founded on friendship. The GRAPA´s ´Artist in Resistance´, Desmond Alli, and GRAPA founder and avid Alli collector, Esther McIntosh met in the early 2000s. When Esther´s career in international development took her across the world, she often went in search of other ¨Desmonds¨ but quickly realized that they were rare.

The GRAPA was created for and with talented political artists, whom we partner with to provide an online platform and marketplace for purpose-driven art. We provide a unique space for political artists to connect with other artists, art lovers, collectors, and partners. We aim to raise the visibility and diversity of political art within the contemporary art world.

The GRAPA is driven by purpose, an ever-increasing community, and a commitment to social change. Since we opened our virtual doors in June 2023, The GRAPA quickly connected with a community of like-minded artists, curators, and creatives from around the world. Political artists work on a global canvas marred with stains from a climate crisis, inequality, poverty, corruption, and creeping authoritarianism. The current context highlights the importance of political art more than ever.