AFRICA FASHION | NATIONAL GALLERY OF VICTORIA

Excerpt from nataal.com:

Africa Fashion lands at the National Gallery of Victoria with a celebration of Melbourne’s diaspora creativity

Africa Fashion has just touched downed in Melbourne with graceful aplomb. The landmark exhibition was originally curated by Dr Christine Checinska at the V&A in London before travelling onto Brooklyn Museum and Portland Art Museum, continuing to evolve with each iteration. As ever, this latest custodianship at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) presents more than 200 works and over 50 creatives from 22 African countries whose work reflects the influence, dynamism and socio-political force of contemporary African fashions from the mid 20th century to today. Nataal’s short film ‘Who Dey Shake’ directed by Lakin Ogunbanwo remains in the mix alongside objects, images and sounds that bring this vital scene to life.

The institution has made Africa Fashion its own by adding recent looks from its collection by designers including Thebe Magugu, Loza Maléombho, Lagos Space Programme, Orange Culture, Lisa Folawiyo and Imane Ayissi. Significantly, it leans into the city’s diaspora community by showcasing work from artists such as Sudanese-Australian artist Atong Atem alongside other photography from its collection by Phumzile Khanyile, Lakin Ogunbanwo and Hassan Hajjaj. It’s also invited local people to share images from their family photo albums that celebrate the everyday style of Africans in Melbourne throughout the independence and liberation era. In addition, Congolese-Australian photographer Thomas Suleiman has created an uplifting portrait series featuring a line-up of local fashion industry creatives from the diaspora, some of which are presented here. We sit down with Charlotte Botica, curatorial project officer, fashion and textiles at the NGV, who developed the show alongside her curatorial colleague Danielle Whitfield, to find out more.

Africa Fashion is on view at National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, until 6 October 2024. Find more information here.