CURRENT
QUEERING THE GA(Y)ZE
15 Feb - 1 March 2025
We are pleased to present Queering the Ga(y)ze: A Public Dialogue Series, convened by Nala Xaba and Noma Pakade, in association with the British Council.
Over three Saturdays, discussions will explore various sites of queer cultural expression, namely: The Shelf, The Gallery, and The Streets. By emphasising space and place, we engage the complex intertextuality of queer histories. Each space produces varying levels of accessibility, archival value and visibility. In a society still marked by extreme inequality, the programme asks:
How is our visibility site-specific?; How do we celebrate diverse voices while avoiding the entrapments of homo-nationalism and pinkwashing?; What is required for strengthening solidarities across space, time, and artistic media? How do we reclaim our archives?
Art mirrors social life and the situatedness of queer identities. The queer community no longer operates primarily from places of absence and victimisation – but from catalogues of visibility. The challenge becomes how to expand in ways that allow continuities and amplify artistic expression across diverse narratives.
Looking to develop your career, gain exposure, and join a vibrant community of creatives?
RECENT
A SERIES OF PUBLIC INTERVENTIONS
for us.
In the face of an inconsolable crisis—of pervasive gendered and sexualized violence in South Africa—the collaborators of To Break A Bitter Fever have come together to create moments of respite where we can, in community,
hold.
hold close.
hold one another closer.
Curated by Kefiloe Siwisa in collaboration with artists: Gabrielle Goliath, Gogo Mahlodi, Gugu Duma, Lebogang Mabusela, Maneo Mohale, Natalie Paneng, Nombuso Mathibela, Rachel Lowe, Simnikiwe Buhlungu and Thuli Gamedze.
To Break A Bitter Fever was developed through the Art Exchange: Moving Image, a curatorial development programme for curators from Sub-Saharan Africa organised by LUX and the Yinka Shonibare Foundation, delivered in partnership with the British Council.
ONGOING
BAG FACTORY LIVING ARCHIVE PROJECT
Bag Factory Artists‘ Studios has a pioneering 33 year history of providing a supportive infrastructure for artists. By combining art making with cultural debate and exhibitions, we create a fertile international environment for experimentation, innovation, and cultural dialogue between creatives in South Africa and the rest of the world.
The Bag Factory Archive Project, in collaboration with Preempt Group, aims to preserve a rich history of past and present artists, including our co-founder Dr David Koloane, Sam Nhlengethwa, Kagiso Patrick Mautloa, Mmakgabo Helen Sebidi, Bongi Dhlomo-Mautloa, as well as Penny Siopis, Tracey Rose, Kendell Geers, Gabi Ngcobo, Lady Skollie, Blessing Ngobeni, and Bronwyn Katz.
As the Bag Factory enters an important period of transition, it is more important than ever to conserve the historic records as a living archive, allowing art historians and researchers to access them for future generations.
The project lists, catalogues and preserves conserve the Bag Factory’s historic records as a living archive, allowing art historians and researchers to access them for future generations.
The project is supported by the National Heritage Council and National Arts Council, Republic of South Africa.
For more information read here
