“If you want to go fast, go alone,
if you want to go far, go together”.
African proverb
‘Africanize’ is a forward-looking initiative aimed at challenging the colonial-collector mindset by encouraging discussions around collected objects and art, all tailored to captivate a diverse audience.
We aim to centre creative and engaging interpretations of the collection, whilst concurrently providing space for meaningful dialogues through workshops based on research conducted. Embracing a community-driven ethos, we are committed to addressing the modern consequences of historical power imbalances through artist residencies, community engagement workshops and collaborations with heritage institutions.
Our project targets a diverse community, including locals and academics connected by a shared interest in the historical and cultural significance of the artefacts.
We aim to engage this audience, fostering connections, igniting dialogue, and creating a project that resonates personally and impactfully.
Within this rendition of ‘Africanize’, Artist in Residence, Sipho Eric Ndlovu, has drawn inspiration from the University of Birmingham’s Research and Cultural Collection (RCC) to facilitate collective interpretations of African artefacts.
Ndlovu is a performance artist and writer with an avid interest in making art accessible to all communities.
‘I have always been passionate about community engagement and delivering quality, accessible art. My goal is to create pieces that inspire people in the community to explore their own stories through the arts.
I have been dedicated to this work for over a decade. What started as a personal interest during my teenage years has evolved into my professional career. The arts have been instrumental in helping me cope with my neurodivergence and speech impediment, allowing me to find my voice and express both my artistic and academic interests.’ – Sipho Eric Ndlovu
We hope ‘Africanize’ will serve as an exemplary collaboration between artists, communities and the academy.
We intend to share interpretation in a creative, engaging and well-consolidated manner, with space for discussions in workshops and open-invitation research days. Our approach is driven by our communities, who speak to us about the current consequences of historically unbalanced power structures.
We hope this model will serve well as an example for community-focused, creative engagements of decolonial work between arts organisations, academic & heritage institutions It can provide a model of working between artists and communities and students/researchers from UoB.
Artist in Residence engaged with academic research with support from the RCC team to interpret their chosen artefacts. Ndlovu’s findings informed the community workshops and creative outputs. You can find the full catalog of the African Collection housed at the RCC on their collections page.
One of the best of many things about any workshop will always be the participants, and their willingness to engage with concepts in varied mediums. Ukudansa served many memorable moments and defined dance as a medium to effectively engage with an African collection. With this in mind, I believe Africanize
This article, in many ways, aims to offer insight into a project thinking brain; to allow discovery of what Africanize is and what it could be. What it is, is a deconstructed formula detailing the genesis of the idea. For Academics: Africanize as an artist response project examines in detail
On purpose with purpose It matters not where WE reside, so long as we know that we came outside for a purpose. It matters not where SOMETHING resides, so long as it remembers itself in due time; Its true-self, plus it’s renewed sense. self garnished with new smoke, a different
Disclaimer The purpose of this workshop was to engage with the University of Birmingham’s Research & Cultural Collections (RCC) African collection of artworks and artefacts. Practising use of voice and body as a methodology, canvas & platform; participants and researchers are encouraged to come together to embody the nuances around
Community workshops saw local Brummies and wider national identities creatively interpreting the Artist in Residence’s chosen artefacts through poetry, dance, drama and roundtable discussions.
Findings from research and community engagement workshops have informed Ndlovu’s ideation phase to create the following poems and short films.
“It is not taboo to go back
and fetch what you forgot”
‘Africanize’ is a forward-looking initiative aimed at challenging the colonial-collector mindset by encouraging discussions around collected objects and art, all tailored to captivate a diverse audience. Our approach centres on fostering creative, engaging interpretations of the collection while concurrently providing space for meaningful dialogues through workshops based on research conducted. Embracing a community-driven ethos, we are committed to addressing the modern consequences of historical power imbalances.
Contact us if you would like to Africanize your collection for museums, galleries, academic institutions, archives
There has been a longstanding disconnect between Young People of Colour and traditional heritage spaces. Our manifesto is a response to that problem. Co-produced with 10 young People of Colour, it details the areas where the sector needs to step up and make a change. Within its pages, you will:
Decolonisation-ish is a book-lite from the Unlocked research strand on the Don’t Settle project. The book-lite is shaped by the research and interviews conducted by young women within academia. It aims to improve youth engagement and invite heritage institutions to kick the dust off heritage.
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Amira is currently the Regional Programme Manager at the Ernst & Young (EY) Foundation. With a BA in History and an MA in International Relations from the University of Birmingham, Amira brings a rich background in youth engagement and empowerment.
Her dedication shines through her work with funders like the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and her volunteer efforts with Chatham House, where she connects young people with key policymakers in international affairs.
Amira has also previously been a part of the programme We Don’t Settle emerged from, Don’t Settle, under Beatfreeks. She is deeply committed to creating safe spaces for young people to celebrate their lived experiences.