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Strauss & Co supports the growth of Art from the Continent as the main sponsor of the African Art in Venice Forum

8 Apr 2022

The AAVF (African Art in Venice Forum) is a non-profit platform providing public opportunities for exchange, cross-collaboration, and visibility for contemporary art from Africa and its diasporas in direct relation to the context of the Biennale. 

Focusing on new initiatives from African and Afro-descendant contemporary artists, AAVF will host an important series of panels, sponsored by Strauss & Co, that will address relevant discussions around the restitution of African material culture and its meaning for contemporary artists; the impact of women-led projects in advancing African art; the ground-breaking support to the arts provided by artist-led foundations across the African continent; and Afro-descendants legacies and creative experimentation in Italy.

The event is free; however, a reservation is required at www.aavforum.com. Strauss & Co Executive Chairperson Frank Kilbourn says of the collaboration “Strauss is proud to take part in this important initiative, not only to encourage the art and artists of South Africa but to further support the continent. We are pleased to use our global platform and website to promote, through both live and digital dialogues, the many voices in the art eco-system across the African continent and diaspora who will be present or listening to the conversations in Venice.”

Full programme information can be found here: Forum 2022 – African Art In Venice Forum African Art In Venice Forum (aavforum.com).

In anticipation of this exciting collaboration, Strauss & Co will host a special Webinar Series leading up to the Biennale on 11 and 12 April at 18h00 CAT. The first, will be hosted by AAVF founder Neri Torcello and Strauss & Co’s Kate Fellens who will discuss the role of the forum with Dr Cheryl Finley. The following day, Senior art specialist, Matthew Partridge will discuss the history of the South African pavilion at the Venice Biennale, followed by a discussion with researcher Leigh Leyde and artist Phumulani Ntuli who will be presenting at the pavilion this year.

On 20 and 21 April, from 10h00 to 16h00 CAT in Johannesburg, a special event will be hosted at the Strauss & Co offices where a live stream of the panel discussions will be available. Kimberley Cunningham, founder of Cunningham Contemporary, will be in conversation with Arisha Maharaj, Art Specialist discussing the impact of Art World Leaders at the forefront of the International Art Scene. 

More information to follow on straussart.co.za

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AAVF is a public and free discursive platform presented every other year in Venice, Italy during the opening week of the Biennale Internazionale dell’Arte di Venezia. The event provides new opportunities to discover, learn, discuss, explore, and exchange topics and projects related to contemporary art from Africa and its diasporas.