AKAA Art and Design Fair 2023
Africa First x LyS have teamed up for the second time to participate at AKAA 2023 with 5 new emerging African artists.
Time & Location
24 Oct 2023, 06:00 – 29 Oct 2023, 15:20
Carreau du Temple, 4 rue Eugène Spuller, 75003 Paris
About the Exhibition
Africa First x LyS have teamed up for the second time to participate at AKAA 2023 with 5 new emerging African artists.
In this age of growing violence, displacement, and disorder we must take a moment to celebrate optimism and remember its vital role in our lives, today and in the future. We’ve asked 5 artists to respond to this simple request: "Paint Me Heaven"
Participating artists:
Tafadzwa Masudi (b. 1988 Zimbabwe)
"Heaven is the ability to conquer yourself with the world’s identity that presses upon self to be, or operate, in a certain way. Liberation from that, is heaven to me. Heaven is the freedom to create and experience the good l can imagine and manifest into this world. Heaven is what l seek when l’m in search of green pastures. Heaven is seeing my children becoming the best version of themselves. Heaven is love exchanged."
Mpho Feni (b. 1995 South Africa)
"There’s a very special place beyond the skies, somewhere very peaceful and loving. Heaven is a special home where the angels takes you to when you have done serving the world with everything that God has sent you to deliver. Angels takes you to your last place where you will no longer feel the pain, anger, hurt and hatred. The only thing heaven will give you is love from the angels as they would hear you as you speak, laugh with you as you laugh, watch you as you sleep, even place their arms around you as you sleep and calm you as you weep."
Kutlo Mabua (b. 1992 Botswana)
"Heaven to me, is a pit stop, a reminder of happiness. It is a space where love blossoms, and it’s easier to find joy in surviving together. It isn’t a place or destination but a feeling of peace in being and the people that surround me."
Sizwe Sama (b. 1987 South Africa)
"What makes your heart fly?" celebrates the little things that lead to fulfill- ment and contentment. Declaring that “one can't pour from an empty cup" I prefer emphasizing the importance of making happiness a daily choice and a personal investment. Being happy means changing what I don't like or changing my attitude. The vibrant colors and various shapes signify freedom to be oneself and living one’s truth. The birds in particular symbolize free- dom and joy seeing as that is what they portray when they fly"
Abekyelesh Belay (b. 1986, Ethiopia)
"Heaven is in a mother’s womb - quiet, warm and gentle - where one is protected from the emotional rollercoaster of the outside world. A healthy newborn baby is God's greatest creation, in all its naivety and all it's potential."