The ARAK Collection in collaboration with LuCAC hosted a three-day writing workshop for art writers and cultural researchers at its facilities in Lusaka, Zambia from Friday, 14 February —Sunday, 16 February 2025. The workshop was facilitated by renowned art critic and scholar, Dr Thembinkosi Goniwe.
Themed “Biographies Reimagined”, the workshop explored ‘Biography’ through three key dimensions: the life of objects, the life of subjects, and the contexts in which both exist. Participants examined how cultural, historical, and social factors shape the narratives of both artists and their work. They focused on transcribing ideas—the process through which artworks and their creators are understood and contextualized within specific environments. The writers were encouraged to explore the intertwined lives of objects (such as artworks, artefacts, and cultural materials) and subjects (artists, curators, and writers), and how these connections inform and influence the meaning ascribed to their work.
The workshop derived inspiration from the ARAK Collection (Doha, Qatar), one of the largest collections of contemporary African art in the Middle East, and the exhibition Viable Visions: Martin Phiri Retrospective, curated by Lifang Zhang in collaboration with LUCAC, the Zambian National Visual Arts Council, and Evelyn Hone College. Martin Phiri’s contributions to Zambian art, his experiences studying in China, and his commitment to cultural exchange served as a rich example of how the life of an artwork and its creator can be understood through contextualized narratives.
Under Dr Goniwe’s guidance, participants aimed to develop a biographical writing practice that is reflective of the interconnected lives of creators, artworks, and their social contexts, equipping them to produce nuanced and vibrant art narratives.
The workshop included visits to the local art scene such as everyday Lusaka, Henry tayali gallery and a visit to a private collectors collection.
