About the exhibtion
At the temporary exhibition „Afrotopias”, visitors will discover a contemporary image of Africa through the lenses of 18 artists from the continent. Their works are largely artistic photographs, that use metaphors and stylization. They address the issues of evolving visual sensitivity and attitudes towards one’s own customs, spirituality and cultural practices. They also discuss the difficulties of shaping gender identity, the paradoxes of contemporary capitalism and relationships with nature in the face of a climate catastrophe.
In addition to the high artistic value of the photographs, the aim of the exhibition „Afrotopias” is to give voice to African artists. Their works differ significantly from stereotypical visual associations about the continent, which often focus on two contradictory images: Africa presented as an exotic, picturesque land or, in an extremely different way, as a place condemned to poverty, war and hunger. These associations have been acquired, among others, by photographs taken by visitors of the continent.
The photographs in the “Afrotopias” exhibition show the subjectivity and non-exotic contemporary life of the inhabitants of Africa. They break stereotypes and remind us that “Africa is not a country” but a place of many cultures, histories, traditions and communities. Many of the challenges faced by the inhabitants of this continent are not significantly different from those faced by the rest of the world.
The exhibition is part of the program „Against stereotypes”.
Exhibition accessibility
The “Afrotopie” exhibition space includes:
- • content in Polish and English
• audio description of the entire exhibition and selected objects in Polish and English
• typhlographics of selected objects
• video guide with descriptions of selected objects in Polish Sign Language and International Sign
• wide viewing routes and rest areas
• texts with appropriate font sizes that ensure comfortable reading for a wide audience
The artists whose works we show at the „Afrotopias” exhibition are: Mbali Dhlamini, Carlos Idun-Tawiah, Melanie Issaka, Kiboko Kamau, Solomon Kyalo, William Malawi, Sackitey Tesa Mate-Kodjo, Matthew Matete, Kibe Nduni, Neema Ngelime, Shawn N. Hounkpatin, Margaret Ngigi, Maganga Mwagogo, James Muriuki, Koffi Seble, Shitanda, Stephen Tayo, Ayomide Tejuoso (Plantation).
Curatorial team
Amy N. Muhoro
Amy N. Muhoro is a Kenyan multidisciplinary artist, cultural researcher, and exhibition curator. Her work focuses on the intersections of history and culture and the role they have played in people’s lives throughout history. Using and combining a variety of media, she primarily examines the impact of globalization on the history of communities, communication systems, and contemporary identities, particularly on the African continent and in African diasporas. She works with local communities to highlight voices that are often overlooked or marginalized in mainstream discourse. Her work has been exhibited at Creatives Garage Arts Trust and the Goethe Institut (Nairobi, Kenya), as well as at the Museum of Modern Art (Warsaw), the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, and the WRO Art Center (Wrocław).
Malaika Nabila
Malaika Nabila is a visual artist from Togo, author of cultural projects and curator of exhibitions. Among other projects, she is a co-founder of the Togo Yeye project, which aims to create works that empower Togolese youth, document their activities, and support creative communities in Togo and the diaspora. As part of the Blacklines project, she develops traditional West African textile dyeing techniques such as batik, indigo, and bogolan. Nabila’s mission is to protect the locality of traditional textile production while preserving the rich cultural heritage and supporting the economic development of her country. Malaika Nabila has participated in the organization of festivals and residencies in Lomé, Togo, and Lagos, Nigeria.
Witek Orski
Visual artist, photographer, and curator. Author of photographs, installations, and objects. For him, artistic practice is a space for research and philosophical inquiries. His interests include the social and political functions of photography and its status in visual culture. An important tool for him is the medium of the exhibition itself – he often arranges series of works into complex visual essays. Orski graduated from the University of Warsaw with a degree in philosophy. He obtained his doctorate from the University of Arts in Poznań. He lectures at the Łódź Film School.
- Dyrektorka Państwowego Muzeum Etnograficznego w Warszawie / Director of the State Ethnographic Museum in Warsaw: dr Magdalena Wróblewska
- Zespół kuratorski / Curators: Amy Muhoro, Malaika Nabila, Witek Orski
- Autorzy tekstów / Texts authors: Amy Muhoro, Malaika Nabila, Witek Orski
- Koordynacja projektu / Project coordination: Joanna Barczuk
- Scenografia / Exhibition design: Bartek Buczek
- Identyfikacja wizualna / Visual identification: Mbali Dhlamini, Kiboko Kamau, Patrycja Lewandowska
- Projekt graficzny i skład tekstów / Graphic design and typesetting: Kuba Maria Mazurkiewicz
- Tłumaczenie i redakcja tekstów w języku angielskim / Translation and editing of the English version: Mateusz Myszka
- Redakcja i korekta tekstów / Copyediting and proofreading: Marta Elas, Zofia Świrek
- Opieka konserwatorska / Conservatorial care: Marcin Burzymowski, Katarzyna Górzyńska
- Dostępność / Accessibility: Magdalena Dąbrowska, Justyna Zieniuk, Fundacja Kultury bez Barier: Michalina Adamska, Marlena Florczyk, Paulina Gojtka, Konrad Kozłowski, Wiktor Kurpiewski, Alicja Szurkiewicz, Robert Więckowski
- Koordynacja produkcji i logistyka / Production coordination and logistics: Marta Ancelewska
- Zespół ds. technicznych i współpraca organizacyjna / Technical team and organisational assistance: Mariusz Horoś, Kamila Końska, Piotr Maciukiewicz (multimedia), Łukasz Malinowski, Marcin Kiersnowski, Tomasz Rychter, Paweł Sałata, Zenon Winnicki
- PR i komunikacja / PR and communication: Łukasz Gackowski, Jakub Nowociński, Przemysław Walczak
- Program edukacyjny / Educational programme: Amy Muhoro, Julia Grudzień, Joanna Migut, Anna Posłuszna, Alexandra Senn, Justyna Zieniuk
Organisation
Media patronage
