Occupying the Gallery at the French Institute of South Africa

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.