The Standard Bank Gallery hosts Lumières d’Afriques – a pan-African travelling exhibition.
JOBURG – Art lovers urged to come and view the plight of Africans depicted in art at The Standard Bank Gallery which runs from 20 February to 9 April.
A travelling exhibition of 54 artists from across the African continent that mirrors the life and socio-economic and political conditions under which Africans live in their respective countries opened at The Standard Bank Gallery in downtown Johannesburg.
Known as Lumières d’Afriques, the first-ever pan-African travelling exhibition was initiated by Artists for African Development (AAD). It seeks to illuminate and shine the spotlight on the challenges faced by the African continent and its people who grapple every day with a myriad of social economic and political issues, particularly around the use and access to energy.
‘The Light of Africa’, as the French phrase Lumières d’Afriques can be translated, opened in Johannesburg on 20 February (running until 9 April), and will feature unique artworks from various African countries, each created by an artist from a different African country.
The internationally renowned project is premised on the idea that the 21st century belongs to Africa, while also reflecting on the challenges facing the development of the continent, and has been touring globally for the past five years since the founding of Artists for African Development in 2015.
Following the exhibition’s inauguration in Paris at the Théâtre National de Chaillot, the collection of works has been presented at the Donwahi Foundation for Contemporary Art in Côte d’Ivoire, the Institut Fondamental d’Afrique Noire in Senegal, the African Union’s headquarters in Ethiopia, the Palace of Nations in Switzerland, EUMESTAT in Germany and, most recently, in the Mohammed VI museum in Morocco.
The Standard Bank Gallery manager and curator, Dr Same Mdluli, said there is no better time than now for the South African leg of the exhibition considering the current state of the energy crisis in the country. “The power of such exhibitions is how they relate to their context in whatever shape, size or format, and across different geographical locales – especially in how they touch on critical socio-political and economic themes,” said Dr Mdluli.
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“It was therefore the right time and the right place to host such an exhibition, given the kinds of poignant issues it highlights in relation to South Africa’s current challenges – 25 years into its democracy.”
Chairperson of Artists for African Development, Gervanne Leridon, said that since the inception of the touring pan-African exhibition, South Africa has always been on the radar as one of the many destinations.
“Not only does South Africa boast a thriving art scene, but it is a long-standing leader in democratising access to energy. We are especially proud to present Lumières d’Afriques in Johannesburg thanks to the support of Standard Bank and its commitment to supporting African development,” she said.
