This Biennale’s edition showcases a dozen pavilions from the African continent including first participations by Benin, Senegal, Ethiopia and a powerful return of Nigeria and Zimbabwe, amon others.

Beyond the continent’s representation at the Biennale, other leading exhibitions deeply echo Africa’s and afrodescendant cultures and experiences. The Biennale titled “Foreigners Everywhere” celebrates “otherness”, exploring the theme of migrations and globalized spaces, and offers an overview of creativity from often neglected communities including indigenous people, queer and people of colour, with a post-colonial and gender-sensitive lens.

This is your Heart explored artistic trends and global discourses from artists in the Global South and uncovered new partnership opportunities with national institutions and art practitioners.

René Tavares et Manel Ndoye font partie de cette génération d’artistes qui explorent les questions socio-politiques à travers un fort ancrage dans leurs communautés d’origine : la culture ancestrale santoméenne pour René Tavares et les communautés de pêcheurs Lébous chez Manel Ndoye. Leur recherche est centrée sur la question de l’héritage culturel et l’intersection entre leurs histoires personnelles et un sens socio-historique plus large.

Le thème féminin de l’exposition y tient lieu de métaphore – on y lit la préservation des racines, du lien à la terre ou à la mer nourricières et à des traditions qui permettent un ancrage solide pour mieux projeter sa vision du futur. Le futur d’un continent où la solidarité des communautés reste une valeur fondamentale, dont les femmes se font les garantes. Les deux artistes usent de techniques picturales singulières, par strates et une approche presque photographique pour l’un, par la décomposition des traits et le traitement abstrait pour l’autre, pour mieux rendre l’archéologie des mémoires collectives et des histoires en marche, traversées de mutations sociales et de récits de résilience.

The Tour took place during the iconic Paris art week with Paris + par Art Basel Fair and other parallel fairs including the 8th edition of the first art fair devoted to contemporary art from Africa organized in Paris, AKAA (Also Known as Africa). In addition to AKAA, the Tour included selected flagship exhibitions around the Fair (Chéri Samba retrospective at Musée Maillol by the Jean Pigozzi collection) and exclusive moments with key personalities from the vibrant Paris art scene, including collectors, gallerists and some of the most exciting artists from the continent including two female artists Kenya-born Thandiwe Muriu and Ghizlane Sahli based in Morrocco. Participants could develop their colossal art style with This is your Heart, and gain valuable market insights to build knowledge and advice for acquisitions.

Art tour of a selection of artists' studios, private collections and art spaces in Geneva, Switzerland.