AFRICA AT VENICE / South Africa Pavilion

ABOUT

South Africa’s national pavilion at the 59th la Biennale de Venezia entitled, ‘Into The Light’. Amé Bell curated the exhibition, which spotlighted the artists Phumulani Ntuli, Lebohang Kganye and Roger Ballen.

The enforced lockdown, quarantine and other restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic have had a negative impact on almost every sector, with the arts being particularly badly affected. Yet adversity often brings creative opportunity. The isolation of the individual from the routine social interactions with their peers provides the time and space for earnest introspection, re-examining who we are, what we stand for and how we present ourselves to the world. This process can unlock hidden truths which are critical to self-identity and individual artistic expression.

This is the message the South African Pavilion took to the 59th Venice Biennale.

AFRICA AT VENICE series is presented by ART AFRICA, African Power Station and Africa First.

Credits

Director, Videography & Editing: Brendon Bell-Roberts

Voiceover: Suzette Bell-Roberts

© ART AFRICA, AFRICAN POWER STATION & Africa First