Writing Art History Since 2002

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‘Sem Sombras (Unshadowed)’ – curated by Onyịnye Alheri and Carolina Policarpo – is an exhibition that will center the work of queer and trans Mozambican artists of various disciplines, including sound, visual and performance art.

Ana “Yak” Machava, Sem título (Untitled), 2022. Acrylic on canvas, 80 x 120cm.

The works presented will illuminate the lived realities and creative expressions of queer and trans Mozambicans and other Africans, often targeted by institutions and erased from mainstream culture. The curators want to showcase the survival and thriving of creatives who have carved their own way of being and dare to be their full selves without fear.

Mozambique is one of only 10 (out of 54) nations on the African continent to have decriminalised homosexuality. Yet LGBTQIA+ people still live in fear of exposure, harm and assault. In many African nations, being homosexual, queer and gender non-conforming is criminalised to varying degrees, in some regions punishable by death.

The exhibition will showcase selected artists who are engaged in transformative cultural production and socio-political activism through creative mediums, exploring queerness in relation to the self, the other, space, time, language and the State.

Participating artists:
  • Amina Gimba
  • Ana “Yaki” Machava
  • Dattie Capelli
  • Eliana N’zualo
  • Géssica Stagno
  • Marilú Mapengo Namoda
  • Pamina Sebastião
  • Yuck Miranda

Besides the exhibition, there will be a public program taking place in Maputopia, an independent community space built in Mafalala to promote more visibility of the art and perspectives of people in this and other neighbourhoods in the periphery of Maputo. The program will happen in the evening, setting the tone for intimate conversations and reflections.

‘Sem Sombras (Unshadowed)’ is an apexart International Open Call exhibition. The exhibition will be on view from the 25th of February until the 25 of March 2023. For more information, please visit apexart.

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