Afems 2019

Creating from the Epicentres of our Agency

The 2019 African Feminisms (Afems) exhibition Creating from the Epicentres of our Agency was based on the conference theme of ‘Theorising from the Epicentres of Agency’, which is a quote from Nigerian Stiwanist Molara Ogundipe. Co-curated by Zodwa Skeyi-Tutani and Sharlene Khan, the exhibition featured a range of local and international creative practitioners, including students from both Wits University and Rhodes University, who all presented artwork around this womanist focus. The range of creativities included a sword made by Saajidah Madhi commemorating the Muslim warrior woman Nusaybah Bint Ka’ab RA; to productions questioning the voyeuristic gaze on the female body as well as the shame induced on it in childhood by Mmatumisang Kgosigadi y aga Motsisi, as well as Nompumelelo Kubheka and Nine Magagula or the way bodies become engendered in the works of Rosinah Dumelang Nthlhane and Kama La Mackerel respectively; to questions around sexuality (Ginger Snap and Cranberry Bunny), violence (Zama Cebisile Mwandla) and love (Kundai Moyo). The exhibition also featured works that questioned received traditions in the powerful performance by Ayanda Gcali, Makhosazana Maduna, Rotondwa Ravele, Matsi wa Lesego; as well as the performance by Katelho Moshele, Nokuthula Maubuza and Noyolwethu Majeke. It also evidenced that new anti-authoritarian traditions are being created by young women in the country as seen in the work curated by Thembakazi Matroshe.

Curated by Sharlene Khan and Zodwa Skeyi-Tutani

Photography by Mosa Anita Kaiser