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Tuesday, March 16, 2010

DIALOGUE AMONG CIVILISATIONS

Print portfolio that juxtaposes responses from visual artists and poets on issues of social justice.

Art for Humanity has initiated Dialogue among Civilizations curated by Candida Pestana due to open at the Durban Art Gallery shortly. The project is a print portfolio that juxtaposes responses from visual artists and poets on issues of social justice. It involves the collaboration between artists and poets from Africa and international countries. There will also be four contemporary artists from South Africa participating, namely Greg Streak, Robyn Cook, Liezel Prince, and Mondli Mdanda, who, based on the curatorial concept of the exhibition will intervene in this exhibition creating a dialogue between the participants from the 37 countries and themselves by developing work that is in response to the theme of the exhibition.

Artists include Themba Shibase and Khona Dlamini from South Africa, Berry Bickle and poet Andrew Whaley from Zimbabwe as well as William Kelly from Australia. The art and poetry resulting from the project will be employed in a public advocacy campaign against racism and xenophobia, highlighting especially the plight of refugees in the form of billboards, banners, exhibitions and posters throughout South Africa.

The exhibition opens on March 21 at the Durban Art Gallery, South Africa’s Human Rights Day and an exciting conference is planned with the focus on Art, Freedom of Expression, Human Rights and Peace. The exhibition then runs until May 31.