The 2023 iteration titled Njabala: Holding Space is an exhibition about the efforts to rest and organize time in a world designed to constantly exploit women. Inspired by Njabala folklore's portrayal of Njabala as the “lazygirl”, the exhibition explores (mis)interpretations of rest, care and labor, especially in a Ugandan context. Ugandan artist Pamela Enyonu as well as the three artists who were accepted for the Annual Njabala Open Call of 2021 namely Birungi Kawooya, Mable Akeu and Pepita Biraaro have been reflecting on the themes through 2022 and have made new works for the exhibition.
Read MoreA Generous Space art exhibition | Hastings Contemporary
A GENEROUS SPACE art exhibition at Hastings Contemporary @_art_on_sea is open and I'm proud to be exhibiting 'Slow down, Birungi.
Thank you Dorcas for the lovely evening and the photo!
Dreaming outloud... one day I'll create a time and a space for Black womxn to rest and enjoy music, poetry, dance and art together. Until then, I'll make art in their vision which I hope inspires us to love ourselves deeper and sustain our dreams, hopes and desires.
I'm so grateful for all the love and support I receive and in particular the Black womxn who share my vision.
#LoveArt #CollageArt #WomenInArt #AbstrakteKunst #TheNapMinistry #SelfCare #SistersNeedSleep
Slow Down, Birungi (2021)
Reposted from @artistsupportpledge
A Generous Space is a celebration of the global movement and economy Artist Support Pledge.
More than 300 works, created by artists from around the world as well as from just around the corner, are featured in A Generous Space. Paintings, drawings, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, photography, basket-making, weaving and needlework have travelled to the UK from countries including America, Canada, India, Republic of Moldova, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Italy, and the Republic of Ireland. There is also strong representation from local and regionally based artists.
All works are available for purchase and anyone can buy through direct contact with the exhibiting artist(s).
More work is available through #artistsupportpledge
#hastingscontemporary #agenerousspace #artistsupportpledge #artistsurfacesaward
2020 was emotionally draining for many reasons, and specifically for Black women; seeing so many dead Black men on the news and all over our social feeds was incredibly distressing. Many women and transwomen die everyday and don’t make it onto the news, which is a different kind of pain and despair altogether. I found myself disconnecting from the news cycle and disassociating to protect myself from effects of witnessing so much violence. It took a monumental year like 2020 to make it clear the loop was not working.
And then I found the Nap Ministry, which always reminds me how much more I need to take care of myself.
It’s not enough to be able to do the 40, 50 60 hours a week at work that a supposedly productive person does. When we work ourselves to the bone we dehumanise ourselves. The Nap Ministry shows me that time to rest, imagine and dream are key for building a more equitable society and reclaiming our humanity.
Sisters Need Sleep (2020)
So, I’ve created the Sisters Need Sleep series to turn attention inwards and celebrate Black womxn at rest. With Sisters Need Sleep, I am reminding myself that I can be honoured for just breathing. When my friends cancel plans with me I congratulate them for listening to their bodies and creating space to restore themselves. And more likely than not, them cancelling helps me to slow down too.
My artistic practice soothes so much, and making time for rest gives me the energy and inspiration to heal myself with art therapy.
So, as always, I am creating the world I want to inhabit - Black women giving themselves the love and support they need to heal.