Category: Africa
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Examining Switzerland’s Colonial Past at MEG: Musée d’Ethnographie de Genève, December 2022
Illustrated reviews of two exhibitions at MEG (Musée d’ethnographie de Genève), Switzerland’s largest world cultures museum, visited during December 2022: (1) “The Archives of Human Diversity” – a showcase of c.1000 cultural objects from MEG’s permanent collections; (2) “Helvécia: A Forgotten Colonial History” – a photojournalistic presentation of African-origin cultural traditions and heritage practices commemorated…
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Antelope, by Samson Kambalu – Fourth Plinth Public Art Commission, 2022-2024
Images taken at night of the 14th public art commission for Trafalgar Square’s Fourth Plinth illuminate the bronze sculpture “Antelope” by British-based artist Samson Kambalu (b. 1975, Malawi). This monumental, larger-than-life figurative work restages an iconic 1914 image of Malawian Baptist minister and anti-colonial activist John Chilembwe pictured alongside British missionary John Chorley. Their hats…
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Bikoka Art Project, Cameroon (Eyeonart.com)
The Bikoka Art Project, established in 2021 by curator and art historian Christine Eyene in partnership with community residents from Lolodorf, Cameroon, is a new art-led initiative “fostering artistic and professional opportunities for local youth and women, and supporting the next generation of creatives.”
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The Liberatory Aesthetics of ‘Africa Fashion’ at the V&A, London, July 2022 – April 2023
An illustrated review of the Victoria and Albert Museum’s ‘Africa Fashion’ exhibition, written by Carol Ann Dixon, Ph.D. More than 250 items featured in this showcase, including contemporary couture by fashion-forward collectives (such as MMUSOMAXWELL and Lagos Space Programme), strip-woven aṣọ-òkè and kente textiles, Adire indigo-dyed fabrics, and east and southern African kangas.
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African Photojournalism at the Tropenmuseum: Faces, Expressions and Fabrics of Solidarity
One of the highlights of my trip to the Netherlands in July 2022 was viewing a series of photo narratives that formed part of the presentation “World Press Photo: Through the Lens of Contemporary Photographers from Africa,” exhibited at the Tropenmuseum, Amsterdam (24 June 2021 to 08 January 2023), and curated in partnership with the…
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