Kghodwana Cultural Village and Museum, Mpumalanga, South Africa

July 1, 2019 – Dec.1, 2019

Presented in partnership with the Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, Colorado State University

Women’s Work explores the role of 21st century female artists in Southeast Africa as advocates of economic, social, and cultural sustainability. Against the backdrop of arts that have historically been considered women’s work, such as pottery, beadwork, and mural painting, this exhibition highlights the stories of seven artists from Kenya and South Africa and explores the role of art production in both past and present through historical examples and contemporary expressions. Organized by Dr. David Riep, assistant professor of Art History, and associate curator of African Art, this exhibition takes an innovative approach to collaborative exhibitions and museum exchange by drawing upon the strengths of each partner institution’s permanent collections. Rather than shipping objects across continents, this exhibition is curated on site using local collections, while the exhibition wall text, images, and supporting materials are printed on vinyl and couriered to partnering institutions, keeping costs to a minimum. This pilot exhibition featured text panels written by partners from each host institution, which were translated in both English and isiNdebele.

Women’s Work: Art and Sustainability in Contemporary Southeast Africa was presented at the Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, from Oct. 5 – Dec. 14, 2018, with a second iteration of the exhibition presented by the Kghodwana Cultural Village and Museum, Mpumalanga, South Africa, July 1, 2019 – Dec.1, 2019.

This project is sponsored by a grant from the Lilla B. Morgan Memorial Endowment, which works to enhance the cultural development and atmosphere for the arts at Colorado State University.