PROJECT
The Pan-African Research Residency took place in Durban, South Africa, led by Lesiba Mabitsela from AFRI, with Ugandan artists Liz Kobusinge and Sheila Nakitende, and Durban-based designer Thabiso Ncanana.
(Continued) A cross-cultural knowledge exchange emerged at the intersection of indigenous knowledges, between the production of barkcloth and local leather pleating practices with a garment called the isidwaba. Drawing on afro-sustainable practices, the creative research focus of the residency explored ways of making as methods for decolonising design and for creating new patterns of knowledge that acknowledge afrocentric fashion histories.
A reciprocal two-country multi-maker residency with a collaborative focus on the fold in fashion with studio- and field-based research that culminates in an exhibition, screenings and panel discussions. The residency supports critical and creative research and stimulates an exchange between practitioners sharing indigenous knowledges from different African countries, ultimately shifting public perceptions of African fashion practices and contributing to an African Fashion Studies field.
New Patterns is a three-year artistic programme supported by the National Arts Council’s Arts Organisation funding (2023-26) with project support in Durban from KZNSA Gallery, Durban University of Tecnonoly, Amanda Laird Cherry Studio and Substance Point. The Fold is a creative research project led by the African Fashion Research Institute in partnership with
Creative Nestlings Foundation for the New Narratives Programme in Africa (2023) supported by the British Council #SSAArts.
Stills images: Bongani Tau, Paulo Menezes from Contemporary Archive Project
Additional resources:
The New Patterns Workshop was made possible by the generous support of the National Arts Council @nacsouthafrica