“Cultural centers, discrete regions and territories, do not exist prior to contacts, but are sustained through them, appropriating and disciplining the restless movement of people and things.” – Jonathan Friedman
We are pleased to present the second season of Art Across Borders, in partnership with Afreximbank. Expanded to include video essays from all 5 regions of the continent, alongside a physical presentation at ART X Lagos, Art Across Borders returns with the curated theme "What Shall We Name These Rivers?" which taps into the potential for the social, economic and political advancement of “community” through the free flow and fluidity of a body (of water, people, fauna, and ideas).
This special presentation brings together - Monica de Miranda (Angola, Central Africa); Thierry Oussou (Benin Republic, West Africa); Sungi Mlengeya (Tanzania, East Africa); Lulama Wolf (South Africa); and Ibrahim Khatab (Egypt, North Africa).
Looking at and away from the idea of borders, African rivers provides a curatorial leitmotif to the artists’ practices, with their featured work opening a discourse on translocality, movement and exchange.
To the detriment of its people, African rivers have been instrumentalized to seed division and establish boundaries. These rivers have shaped present ideological and political structures that continue to hinder the free flow of many Africans, leaving them powerless. The potential for social, economic and political advancement of “community” through the free flow and fluidity of a body (of water, people, fauna, ideas) cannot be underestimated.
How can Africans therefore reclaim ownership of their rivers? Indeed, what subsequent implications would that have on redrawing the recently imagined state borders that divide West, East, South, North and Central Africa? Borders largely influenced by the natural flows of their rivers?
Yet, as African communities face these socio political challenges, an even larger ecological crisis exacerbated by climate change is now more present than before. Flooding, lead poisoning, famine, desertification and a myriad of environmental challenges have already killed several hundreds and displaced millions of Africa, with unquantifiable loss in capital. Perhaps it is in the rivers that answers to these challenges may be found.
FEATURING
SUNGI MLENGEYA
Tanzania, East AfricaBorn in 1991, Sungi Mlengeya is a painter whose figurative portraiture commemorates the women who surround her. She shows her subjects and audience the power they possess by capturing them in an indomitable light and suspending them in infinite spaces. Her main theme at ART X Lagos 2022 is choice, which she believes provides small instances of comfort knowing there always is alternative action, even in situations that seem dire. Three large paintings, depicting women's bodies branching out into different paths, will highlight the Mlengeya Concept of Choice.
Kushoto kulia, 2022, Acrylic on canvas, 150 x 140cm
LULAMA WOLF
South AfricaLulama Wolf is a visual artist living and working in Johannesburg, South Africa. She stands at the intersection of Neo-Expressionism and Modern African Art, interrogating pre-colonial African experience. Her smearing, scraping and deep pigment techniques echo those used in vernacular architecture.
History and the proof of life are the core concepts of her work. Where life in black spirituality has been denied, she presents a counternarrative by creating two-dimensional paintings to embody the simplicity and deep spiritual power of the native eye. Her motivation is both tender and protective of her imaginary world. She creates a photographic and graphic experience that morphs and shapeshifts into a higher dimensional plane.
Is this still life III (it stays on its path and stays relentless), 2022, Acrylic and sand on canvas, 120 x 150 cm
MÓNICA DE MIRANDA
Angola, Central AfricaMónica de Miranda is a Portuguese artist of Angolan origin who lives and works between Lisbon and Luanda. She studied Visual Arts and Sculpture at Camberwell College of Arts in London and earned a PhD in Artistic Studies from Middlesex University, London. Her work is based on themes of urban archaeology and affective geographies. She works with drawing, installation, photography, film, video and sound. She has been nominated for the Novo Photo Banco Prize, exhibiting as one of the finalists at the Berardo Collection Museum. Her solo exhibitions include Geografia Dormente at the Galeria Municipal de Arte in Almada, Portugal and Panorama at the Banco Economico in Luanda. Miranda’s work is represented in several collections, including Centro Cultural de Lagos and the Photographic Archive of Lisbon.
Path to the stars, video still
IBRAHIM KHATAB
Egypt, North AfricaIbrahim Khatab was born in Cairo and works as a co-teacher at Cairo University. His early experience making art that appeared on the streets of Cairo ignited his passion for Arabic calligraphy and continues to influence his work. Since 2007, Khatab’s work has frequently been presented in group shows and solo exhibitions from Sweden to South Africa to Oman. He has regularly participated in the annual Youth Salon in Egypt and has led many workshops at the Visual Arts Centre, Oman; the Fine Arts Association, Doha and the Sharjah Children Biennale. He has been awarded various prizes for his work. In 2018, he obtained a PhD from Cairo University.
The Voice of Kairo II, 2021, Mixed media on wooden canvas, 120 x 90cm
THIERRY OUSSOU
Benin Republic, West AfricaThierry Oussou was born in 1988 in Allada, Benin, where he founded the art studio Yè; he continues to give workshops on arts and visual culture in schools and cultural institutions across Benin. He has participated in residencies at the Rijksakademie, Amsterdam (2015), and Dokoutin, Brussels (2014). Thierry exhibited at the Dakar Biennale in 2014, at the Berlin Biennial in 2018 and at the 2019 Brazil Biennial. In his practice Oussou deals with questions about authenticity, history, heritage and visibility. Through his use of various media including painting, sculpture and video, he brings reflection to this moment, crafting probing yet poetic commentaries on the threads that link the past and the future.
CURATOR
BAYO HASSAN BELLO
Bayo Hassan Bello is a research-based artist, writer and curator. He is inspired by local ephemera and indigenous aesthetics in his practice. His works investigate and seek to understand knowledge systems and cultural heritage. His current research is centered on African textiles and material culture which he explores through artist books, curated projects, experimental films and installations. He is a recipient of the UAE Government program for exceptional creatives, the Tony Elumelu Foundation and an inaugural member of the Jameel Arts Center Youth Assembly. In 2016 Bayo founded AJALA, a culture production platform focused on creating social impact for artists and creative communities in the Global South.