Firdaus Mbogho: Deconfining. Arts, Culture and Politics in Europe and Africa

Описание: Firdaus Mbogho shares a personal yet professional reflection on contemporary art and international artistic collaboration. Speaking in 2023 as a representative of Nafasi Art Space, during a conversation held in June at the 21st SURVIVAL Art Review in Wrocław, she reflects on working across cultures, the importance of knowledge exchange, and the challenges faced by artists from the Global South.

The video explores:

→ the role of contemporary art in fostering intercultural dialogue,

→ the importance of international partnerships and long-term collaboration,

→ barriers to artist mobility, including visa processes and systemic inequalities,

→ the inspiring potential of new technologies and unconventional exhibition spaces.

It is a reflection on art as a tool for connection, growth, and shared creation beyond borders.

//
Deconfining. Arts, Culture and Politics in Europe and Africa is an international initiative that brings together artists, institutions, and researchers from the European Union and African countries. Its aim is to open spaces for dialogue—both symbolically and practically—where history and contemporary realities have long built walls. The Art Transparent Foundation from Wrocław co-creates Deconfining, fostering artistic, educational, and curatorial exchange, as well as building lasting relationships between the regions.

The project’s partner in Tanzania is Nafasi Art Space – one of the most important centres of contemporary art in East Africa. It is in Dar es Salaam on 5 February 2026, that a unique exhibition will open, presenting the results of the Deconfining artistic residencies.

Audiences in Tanzania will see works by five artists that premiered earlier this year during the 23rd SURVIVAL Art Review in Wrocław – one of the largest and most recognized festivals of contemporary art in public space in Poland. The exhibition will also feature a new installation by Kenyan artist Naitiemu Nyanjom, created especially for the presentation in Dar es Salaam.

This encounter of cultures and perspectives shows that art can serve as a tool for decolonizing the imagination, opening new narratives, and enabling collective action across divisions. Deconfining in Dar es Salaam is not only a presentation of artworks, but also an invitation to a conversation about the future we can create together—despite contemporary challenges and complexities.