How do you capture African fashion? And When Solidarity is Not a Metaphor

The Art Show

Fashion is not a luxury; it’s a crucial part of the social fabric of many African countries. Capturing this diversity in an exhibition was the monumental task for Christine Checinska, the Senior Curator of African Textiles and Fashion at the Victoria & Albert Museum, UK. Africa Fashion is touring the world, bringing diverse voices from the African diaspora to the forefront. Among these voices is photographer Suleiman Thomas, whose portraits of the African Australian fashion community reflect the local scene’s unique style.

Many armed conflicts never penetrate the Western media bubble, leaving liberation struggles unnoticed. How do displaced artists living in asylum bring attention to these civil wars? A poignant example is the exhibition When Solidarity Is Not A Metaphor, a collateral experience at this year’s Venice Biennale. Join curator Natasa Petresin-Bachelez, along with artists Nge Lay from Myanmar and Saad Eltinay from Sudan, as they share their insights on how art can foster solidarity and raise awareness of underreported conflicts.