On the 59th Venice Art Biennale occasion, AKKA Project is thrilled to announce African Identities. This group exhibition aims to highlight the importance of the Arts and Artists from the African Continent. The exhibition will run from April to November 2022.
The first edition of African Identities will focus on exploring the art scene of East Africa. Counting on so many different ethnic groups and cultures, talents, and styles, AKKA Project aims to present and gather these many artists, including established and young talents, under one roof, giving them an opportunity for fruitful dialogues.
Each territory has mastered its unique distinctiveness. Individually each has bloomed from the fertile soil and risen to diverse original contemporary artists who masterfully experiment with new subjects, styles, and materials.
AKKA Project aspires to create a unique and enriching experience, allowing visitors to discover the artists’ stories and works in Venice during the period of La Biennale 2022. All this is African Identities: a unity cluster of artworks and artists from Africa.
Thanks to our partnership with KUNSTMATRIX, you can enjoy the virtual reality experience and discover African Identities exhibition in 3D at the following link.
CHAPTER I
APRIL – JUNE
VENUE: AKKA Project, Venezia
START: 23.04.2022
END: 03.06.2022
OPENING HOURS: Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Come to discover African Identities: a unity cluster of artworks and artists from the African Continent. The first chapter will see artists such as Filipe Branquinho, participating artists at the National Pavilion of Mozambique during the Venice Biennale in 2019; Charles Bhebe, participating artists at the National Pavilion of Zimbabwe for the Venice Biennale in 2017 and many others.
Participating artists:
Evans Mbugua
Boniface Maina
Peterson Kamwathi
Shabu Mwangi
Filipe Branquinho
Matt Kayem
Charles Bhebe
Doddridge Busingye
Franklin Dzingai Rima
VIEWING ROOM ACCESS
CHAPTER II
JUNE – JULY
VENUE: AKKA Project, Venezia
START: 06.06.2022
END: 15.07.2022
OPENING HOURS: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Each territory has mastered its unique distinctiveness. Individually each has bloomed from the fertile soil and risen to diverse original contemporary artists who masterfully experiment with new subjects, styles, and materials.
Following this concept, African Identities Chapter II will exhibit the below-listed artists
Elias Mung’ora
Hilda Mumbi
Nadia Wamunyu
Allan Kioko
Baraka
Jimmy Kitheka
Michael Soi
Paul Njihia
Rodrigo Mabunda
Tafadzwa Gwetai
Longinos Nagila
Onyis Martin
Luis Sozinho
VIEWING ROOM ACCESS
CHAPTER III
JULY-AUGUST
VENUE: AKKA Project, Venezia
START: 18.07.2022
END: 29.08.2022
OPENING HOURS: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
AKKA Project is thrilled to bring you Chapter III of the African Identities group exhibition. Chapter III showcases the works of 14 artists – from Kenya, Mozambique, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
The talented group is part of a fresh wave of creatives playing with tradition and exploring socially-driven compositions and narratives through contemporary African art. Promoting the African Identities exhibition during the 59th Venice Biennale is a key priority for us, bringing contemporary African art to Venice as we look to continue to internationalize contemporary African art and expose it to an even wider audience.
David Thuku
Remmy Sserwadda
Tanaka Mazivanhanga
Peteros Ndunde
Solomon Luvai
Samuel Djive
Ronex Ahimbisbwe
Dennis Muraguri
Michael Musyoka
Ventura Mulalene Zucula
Cyprian Rasto
Butcheca
John Kotzé
VIEWING ROOM ACCESS
CHAPTER IV
SPECIAL PROJECT: ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE
AKKA Project is excited to announce the special projects we have incorporated into our ongoing seven-month-long African Identities group exhibition.
Following the AKKA Project Venice Artist Residency program of 2021, we are thrilled to reveal the residency outcome by announcing Cyrus Kabiru’s solo exhibition, A Small World.
During Cyrus’s solo exhibition, the AKKA Project Venice Residency program will include the onboarding of the new selected resident artist, Pamela Enyonu. During Pamela’s two months residency at AKKA Project, she will be able to explore and challenge her creative processes. This time allows the artist to work on a concept, research, reflect, immerse themselves and get inspired by Venice. The artist-in-residence will draw inspiration from Venice, the Italian territory, its culture, colors, and traditions. The residency outcome will be exhibited as a solo show at AKKA Project Venice in the coming year.
CHAPTER V
OCTOBER – NOVEMBER
STAY TUNED!
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