By Unam Ntsababa
The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) continues to assert itself as a beacon of contemporary African art, with exhibitions far beyond the aesthetic. These thoughtfully curated displays act as vital spaces for critical engagement, reflection, and transformation — fostering conversations that resonate across cultural, social, and political landscapes. Through the work of artists like Berni Searle, Tuan Andrew Nyuyen, Buhlebezwe Siwani, and Cyrus Kabiru, these exhibitions create immersive environments that blend creativity with a deep exploration of history, identity, and social issues.
Preserving and reclaiming histories
These exhibitions play a crucial role in reclaiming narratives that have been marginalised or erased by dominant histories. Artists like Berni Searle and Tuan Andrew Nguyen address historical silences, using their art as a medium to reimagine the stories of the oppressed and overlooked. Nguyen’s work, for instance, rewrites the histories of Vietnamese, Moroccan, and Senegalese people under colonial rule, shedding light on the transnational impact of war and imperialism. These exhibitions invite visitors to confront the uncomfortable truths of historical erasure while offering a speculative space to imagine what might have been if these voices hadn’t been silenced.
Spreading far beyond the confines of local or national identities, these well-curated exhibitions open channels for transnational exchange and cross-cultural dialogue. Artists like Latedjou and Buhlebezwe Siwani explore how personal and collective identities are shaped across borders. In Latedjou’s work, language becomes both a bridge and a barrier, sparking reflection on how global communication influences identity in today’s interconnected world. These exhibitions offer a space where visitors can see the fluidity of cultural identities, challenging rigid definitions of nationhood and belonging.
Addressing Contemporary Social Issues
One of the central purposes of these exhibitions is to prompt reflection on pressing social and environmental issues. Cyrus Kabiru uses found objects and discarded materials to critique consumer culture while highlighting environmental degradation. Kabiru’s art transforms trash into captivating pieces that comment on the relationship between memory, identity, and time, reminding viewers of the consequences of unchecked consumerism. Buhlebezwe Siwani’s work, which intertwines ancestral rituals with contemporary social realities, invites audiences to confront issues of race, gender, and systemic inequality in both African and global contexts.
Reimagining the role of museums
Curated by Storm Janse Van Rensburg, SALA challenges traditional notions of what a museum is and whom it serves. Centred around the concept of “Sala”, a word shared across many Nguni languages, meaning to “stay”, the exhibition taps into the idea of connection, parting, and reflection, asking profound questions about the museum’s purpose. By questioning the role of institutions in shaping cultural narratives, SALA pushes the boundaries of how we engage with art. Rather than being passive spaces for historical artefacts, museums are reimagined as dynamic environments that invite visitors to think critically about cultural exchange and reflection. This exhibition encourages dialogue on what it means to inherit and reshape a museum’s role, prompting viewers to consider how museums can transform in response to contemporary narratives and issues.
This shift in perspective allows Zeitz MOCAA to position itself as an active participant in the reshaping of cultural and societal discourse, facilitating conversations that link the past, present, and future. In SALA, the museum isn’t simply a preserver of static histories but a space for evolving engagement, where art actively responds to and reshapes the world around it.
Connecting with the spiritual and metaphysical
Some exhibitions at Zeitz MOCAA delve into the intangible aspects of the human experience — spirituality, memory, and metaphysics. In exhibitions like Seekers, Seekers, Soothsayers, artists invite viewers to explore the unseen forces that shape the world around us. Through ritualistic installations, experimental film, and immersive experiences, these works ask visitors to consider the role of spirituality in healing fractured histories and reconnecting with cultural heritage.
Zeitz MOCAA’s exhibitions aren’t just intellectual exercises — they’re deeply emotional and personal. Joel Andrianomearisoa uses light, shadow, and texture to evoke intimate emotions, from love and loss to desire and nostalgia. Berni Searle’s work, which combines vulnerability with beauty, invites viewers to connect with the shared human experiences that underpin political and historical narratives. These exhibitions transform art into a visceral, emotional journey, making the viewer an active participant in the dialogue.
A catalyst for reflection and transformation
Ultimately, the exhibitions at Zeitz MOCAA serve as catalysts for both personal and collective transformation. They go beyond mere visual representation, offering immersive experiences that challenge visitors to rethink their roles in shaping the world around them. By blending art, history, identity, and social critique, Zeitz MOCAA positions itself as a vital space for contemporary voices to engage with the complexities of our globalised world.
In doing so, the museum elevates the power of art from mere aesthetic appreciation to a profound tool for dialogue, reflection, and social change — making it not just a repository for art, but a dynamic, transformative force within the African and global art community.
