Kente & Silk is searching for China-based and International art creatives to collaborate with them on the Beijing Africa Week’s 2019 Edition of ArtAfrik!

ArtAfrik is a celebration of African art & craftsmanship held during Beijing’s Africa Week (17th – 26th May) that aims to explore Africa-China relations through the prism of art. ArtAfrik will host a series of exhibitions across Beijing curated under the title: “师父，这个地方在哪里？: 8.7832° S, 34.5085° E (Sir, ‘Where is this place? : 8.7832° S, 34.5085° E ‘ )”, and a gala event on the 23rd of May 2019 that will bring together participating artists to share their process and inspiration with art enthusiasts and Beijingers curious about Africa. The ArtAfrik gala will feature a wide set of art mediums, exhibitions, an interactive museum and talks that will give Beijingers an opportunity to engage with African creatives and leave with a deeper understanding of Africa – it’s art, peoples and relationship with China.

To make ArtAfrik possible, they are looking for interdisciplinary artists who are keen about creating socially engaging public artwork to reflect on Africa-China relations. Selected artists will have their artwork displayed in the sprawling capital of Beijing for one week.

Artists are encouraged to submit proposals, which foster public conversations and thought-provoking dialogue. Selected Artists will have to choose to work on an installation that responds to one or more of the following themes:

Friends of Arica
Food
Culture/Lifestyle
Fashion
E-Waste
Migration
Urbanism

Artworks can be realised in the form of a public installation, performance piece or audio production, along with many other mediums. Each selected artist will be allocated a respective public site in Beijing.

The deadline for the submission is 31 March 2019 – (Time(GMT+8).
Late applications will not be considered.
Entry is via email application only to: info@kenteandsilk.com

Applicants are asked to submit a PDF file (no larger then 5mb) consisting of no more than one page of text describing:
1.The conceptual outline of your proposed piece.
2. Production and execution details (Media, dimensions and materials)
3.An artist statement and a current CV.

Artists are also encouraged to please submit reference sketches, photographs or images.

Please note that Artist Fees are not covered as part of this collaboration. However, a 1000 RMB (148 US §) stipend will be provided for transportation of materials or artwork to the artist’s specific installation/production site (within Beijing). Selected artists will showcase their public artworks for a full week during Beijing’s 2019 Africa Week and will also have the opportunity to give a short presentation on their pieces at the launch/ opening reception of ArtAfrik.

All entrants will be notified if their work has been selected by 15 April 2019. The week display of these works will be open to the public from 17 May 2019 at various locations in Beijing and the ArtAfrik launch evening with artist acknowledgement and presentations will take place on 23 May 2019.

The Kente & Silk ArtAfrik team look forward to receiving your proposals and to a fruitful collaboration.

For questions or further information please contact: info@kenteandsilk.com

About Kente & Silk:

Kente & Silk is a social enterprise that aims to change the status-quo of Africa-China relations. They do so by rebranding Africa China through events and experiences that deepen participants understanding of Africa-China Relations, e.g Kente&Silk Beijing Africa Week as well as by providing strategic advisory services to African start-ups seeking to engage with China. They are powered by a team of bold, innovative thinkers keen to pioneer a new era of balanced and mutually beneficial Africa-China relations.

www.kenteandsilk.com