Two girls enter the Makerere Art Gallery in Kampala, Uganda. Judging by their timid behaviour it’s their first time at the gallery, they are not sure how to behave, they are trying to decode this new environment, adjust themselves, synchronize with the unfamiliar context. Then their eyes meet those of an elegant lady and a distinguished gentleman. Spontaneously, one of the girls, feels that some advice is due: “Should I take off my shoes?”, she asks, hopeful for a clue. And without knowing it she gives a name to a new chapter of our AtWork format. The gentleman in the gallery is our advisor Simon Njami and the lady is the curator of the Makerere Art Gallery Katrin Peters- Klaphake, the two being caught in the middle of preparing the next AtWork format in Kampala.
From its beginning AtWork has always grappled with matters of identity and creativity, so the question falls perfectly in line with the format’s philosophy. It recalls the moment of entering sacred and unknown places and invites one to reflect on the symbolism of crossing door sills. Often, this requires questioning what we know about ourselves, our certainties and the way we interact with the world around us. “Should I take off my shoes?” becomes thus the theme and the starting point of the AtWork format adopted by Makerere University’s art school and art gallery. 20 students and recent graduates that are starting their path in the art world will be involved in a 5-day workshop (February 9-13th), during which they will bring their point of view on the question and will spill out their creative expression on the topic on the pages of the Moleskine notebooks.
But the discussion doesn’t stop here. During the first two days of the workshop the participants will be hosted by the Maisha Foundation at Maisha Garden, created by the acclaimed film director Mira Nair. At the end of the second day she will meet the students to hold a debate after a screening of one of her films. A unique and rare opportunity for the students to confront and be inspired by a woman who is an artist, an entrepreneur and above all, a critical thinker.
A simple question that starts a complex debate. A local incident that opens a global conversation. This is exactly how we want AtWork to unfold and take shape, engaging an ever- growing international community of creative minds. So, “Should I take my shoes off?” We will be in Kampala next week to find out. You can choose to join our conversation on-line and give us your point of view. Stay tuned and at work!
Claude Bunny Massassa is a contemporary artist from Gabon. She created Bunny Studio in 2016, a start-up dedicated to photography production, which became DWABI Studio in 2021. As an artist, she has represented Gabon in many international exhibitions in Senegal, Uganda, France, the United States, and Italy. In her art, she denounces social stigmas around issues of identity and mental health, and explores themes of traditions and myths.
Executive Director Kimberly Aceves- Iñiguez has been passionately committed for over 20 years to social justice organizing and advocacy efforts that bring voice and power to youth, LGBTQ people, people of color, and working-class communities in the Bay Area. Before coming on as the Executive Director for RYSE, Kimberly served as the Executive Director for Youth Together, the founding organization of the RYSE Center.
Kanwarpal Dhaliwal is one of the co-founders of RYSE and currently acts as the Associate Director. She supports and guides the implementation and integration of healing-centered practices, grounded in racial justice and liberation, and also develops, promotes, and advocates for policies, investments, practices, and research that enliven healing, justice, and liberation. Kanwarpal believes that the purpose of her work and life is to contribute to movements, communities, and legacies of liberation that honor the ancestors who fought for her existence and survival, and to forge a world that is just and gentle for future generations.
Sagal Ali is the founder and executive director of SAF. After a few years in her career in heritage protection in the cultural sector, she decided to develop the initiative to directly support young creatives in Somalia by launching her own foundation. She hopes to bridge the social gaps and inequalities women face in Somalia, both in society and in the arts scene.
Co-founders Catherine Dunga and Marleen Palmaers created Kitambo to bridge the gap between the African diaspora in Colombia and the narratives from the continent. From Kinshasa and Antwerp respectively, they work to connect African artists from the continent and their peers from the Colombian diaspora.
Martha Kazungu is a curator, art Historian and Founder of Njabala Foundation, an organization that curates periodic exhibitions and organizes a public program of activities to create a safe space for female artists to thrive and blossom.
Alicia Hansen is a photographer and teacher from New York. She founded NYC SALT in 2008 and, beyond teaching valuable creative skills to her students, has developed a long-term support system to uplift them through school and into their early artistic careers.
