Occupying the Gallery at the French Institute of South Africa

Arts and Creative Industries

Occupying The Gallery, led by artists Mary Sibande and Lawrence Lemoana, creates mentoring and collaborative spaces within art galleries for emerging artists. This year, the project engaged a collective of artists, including Mosa Anita Kaiser, Hoek Swaratlhe, Lungile Ngcobo, Sphatho Mzantsi, Bongani Ndlovu, Tatenda Maisa, and Mlondi Magubane through two residency periods at IFAS.

During the first phase (April–May), the artists produced artworks and prints in collaboration with Artist Proof Studios, showcased at the RMB Latitudes Art Fair in Johannesburg. In the second phase (July), they participated in a workshop led by French artists Hugues Anhēs and Camille Gajate, resulting in a collaborative mural, Fahla Fahla!, and a zine documenting their process. The term “Fahla Fahla!” symbolises the act of piecing things together, reflecting the project’s focus on collective creativity and artistic exchange. The public unveiling of the mural and zine on 31 July 2024, highlighted the success of the residency and the project’s emphasis on mentorship, creative growth, and community engagement.

Watch the video about their time at IFAS here.

You might also like

IFAS launches 30th anniversary publication in style

On Tuesday, 14 October 2025, the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) launched its 30th anniversary publication and accompanying...

Enter the 2024 Francophonie competition and stand a chance to win a trip to France

The Francophonie Festival is an annual celebration of French language and cultural diversity that takes place globally. The French...

Spotlight on 3 French personalities who strove for Liberation in South Africa

When Ms Catherine Colonna, French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs visited Freedom Park in Pretoria, South Africa, in...

Explore New Horizons: Join the South African Delegation to VivaTech 2024!

Are you a South African startup ready to make waves on the global stage? We have an exclusive opportunity...

Let's get social

This message is only visible to admins.
Problem displaying Facebook posts.
Click to show error
Error: Server configuration issue
Twitter feed is not available at the moment.