[1] Gallery MOMO was founded in Johannesburg in 2002 by the South African art dealer and collector, Monna Mokoena.

[5] Since its founding, Gallery MOMO has established an extensive programme of showcasing new work in solo and group exhibitions by South African and international artists.

According to the Irish Times, by 2006 the Johannesburg venue had already 'earned a reputation for discovering new African and international talent'.

[6] Amongst the gallery's earliest events were the 2003 exhibition 'The Age of Enlightenment' by the South African painter, Johannes Phokela.

[7] In the 2010s, the gallery continued to host exhibitions by artists such as the South African sculptor, Mary Sibande,[8] the German-based painter, Ransome Stanley and U.S.-born photographer Ayana V.