The new issue of ART AFRICA spotlights the artists carrying the burden of history and the responsibility of reimagining the future.
Wael Al Awar, Barzakh, Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial 2024 – 2025. Photo: Suzette and Brendon Bell-Roberts
Recent changes in global power dynamics are causing alarm. Countries that used to work together and share ideals now face a troubling reality. Speaking out against those in power often leads to harsh responses, highlighting the urgent need for action. Authoritarianism threatens democracy around the world. Artists play a key role in addressing this issue and challenging the existing order. Their work gives a voice to the marginalised and promotes social change.
Art is not just a way to express oneself but a vital tool for protesting and raising awareness about important issues like inequality and injustice. We cannot wait for politicians to improve things; we must educate our communities and fight for freedom.
History shows that creativity can drive meaningful change, as seen in movements for women’s rights, racial equality, and LGBTQIA2S+ advocacy. Now, more than ever, we need to use art to fight injustice and reshape our world. As our memories change over time, influenced by retelling, new information, and differing perspectives, what we remember can vary from our original experiences, even if we don’t intend to change those memories.
Alla Abdunabi’s exhibition at 421 in Abu Dhabi, titled ‘Are Your Memories of Me Enough for You?’ offers a compelling insight into the legacy of imperialism, particularly through the poignant story of the Barbary lion from North Africa. This magnificent species was driven to extinction by imperial forces, yet it remains a powerful symbol of colonial dominance. The exhibition serves as a striking metaphor for the brutal impacts of colonialism that continue to resonate today.
During a conversation with Zak Ové at the Louvre Abu Dhabi, he spoke about his artwork Virulent Strain, highlighting its reflection on contemporary issues and tribute to his parents’ immigrant struggles during the Windrush movement. He emphasised generational legacy, expressing his responsibility to shed light on overlooked narratives from the Caribbean, Africa, and the diaspora.
The Sharjah Biennial 16, titled to carry, is a platform for artists to address critical social and environmental issues. This year, five curators offer diverse narratives that explore intergenerational themes and inheritance. The Biennial raises essential questions about what we carry during travel, displacement, or survival and how our choices shape our paths and leave traces. Emphasising a collective understanding invites reflection on the past and present, urging us to confront erasure and oppression while examining existence’s technological, societal, and ritualistic aspects.
Sevil Tunaboylu, various works from ‘Remainder’, 2024. Commissioned by Sharjah Art Foundation and Bao Foundation, supported by SAHA. Installation view: Sharjah Biennial 16, Al Dhaid Clinic, Al Dhaid, 2025. Image courtesy of Sharjah Art Foundation. Photo: Danko Stjepanovic
The artworks in the exhibition ‘Imminent and Eminent Ecologies’ at the University of Johannesburg foreground the entanglement between living and non-living forms, humans and the more-than-human, and the effect culture has on climate change. The exhibition advocates that holistic decolonial practice can only be manifested by breaking down the artificial boundaries between species and between the organic and elemental.
At Tate Liverpool, ‘The Plant that Stowed Away’ exhibition explores the interconnected histories of trade, migration, and the natural world. The display follows the movement of people and plants, showing how industrialisation and colonial legacies influence urban and ecological landscapes. It highlights nature’s resilience and complex relationship with human history, inspiring us to appreciate the natural world’s adaptability.
The concept of “public” was central to the inaugural Public Art Biennale in Abu Dhabi. It examines what it means to live, gather, and create in public spaces. The theme Public Matter poses essential questions about the conditions that allow various communities, both local and transient, to become part of the public fabric. It delves into the dynamics of public spaces, the rights and responsibilities of individuals within these spaces, and the role of art in shaping and reflecting public life.
‘Kings and Queens of Africa’ at the Louvre Abu Dhabi highlights the enduring relationship between art, power, and identity. It features royal attire, ceremonial objects, and spiritually significant figures that showcase the exceptional craftsmanship of African artisans. The exhibition also sheds light on historical and contemporary narratives of leadership and influence, enlightening us about Africa’s rich cultural heritage.
The MM 2025 gathering in Sharjah celebrated the importance of community, shared sustenance, and knowledge sharing. This year’s theme, To Carry Songs, highlights the role of community in preserving and transmitting cultural memory through voice, movement, and daily acts of solidarity. It underscores that our communities are the custodians of our cultural heritage, making us feel connected and valued.
A positive attitude and an optimistic outlook are invaluable assets, especially when facing significant challenges. While it might be hard to believe in our ability to make a difference, history demonstrates that individuals who rise against the odds can spark meaningful change. Achieving radical transformation is rarely a simple journey; it is filled with complexities and fresh obstacles. This ongoing endeavour demands continuous effort and a steadfast commitment to building a more equitable future.
— Suzette & Brendon Bell-Roberts
Read the latest digital edition of ART AFRICA: CARRYING CHANGE, ISSUE 25
