The British Council has collaborated with the Liverpool Biennial for the Biennials Connect initiative. From 1-6 August, 16 esteemed international curators from diverse countries, including Bangladesh, Ghana, India, Kenya, and Nigeria, will participate in a week of events, discussions, and networking. The event aligns with the exhibition at Liverpool Biennial 2023 ‘uMoya, The Sacred Return of Lost Things.
These selected delegates will engage in curated tours and public programs at the Liverpool Biennial 2023 throughout the week. Moreover, they will visit the arts organizations in Liverpool, Leeds, and Manchester. The pinnacle of this week will be the ‘Sector Day,’ where local, national, and international peers will convene to explore the concept of care in a biennial context.
The participating curators include Nneoma Angela Okorie, Independent Curator, Ghana; Greer Valley, Lecturer and Independent Curator, Johannesburg, South Africa; Haikaeli Gilliard, Pharmacist, Artist Manager, and Curator, Tanzania. We have Robert Njathika, Curator, Nairobi Now, Kenya, in East Africa. Additionally, we have Mike Tigere Mavura, Curator and Cultural Producer, Stellenbosch Triennial, South Africa, Oyindamola Fakeye, Creative Director, Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA) Lagos, Nigeria and Teesa Bahana, Director, 32° East Ugandan Arts Trust, Uganda.
In addition to the Liverpool trip, the curators will engage in a digital program of online talks and facilitated discussions. The events will occur from late 2023 to 2024, leading to the 2025 Biennial. This program will be shaped by the discussions during the Curators’ Week. This will ensure the event is a valuable resource for learning and sharing among participating curators.
The Biennials Connect program fosters collaboration between curators in the UK, International curators from global biennials, and visual arts festivals. The event also acts as a bridge between early-to-mid-career curators from Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. It facilitates meaningful cross-cultural partnerships and fosters engagement between international peers and emerging curators.
