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Our Story

VukuvukuPhila!

Welcome to the creative world of VukuvukuPhila! which is a blend of our names ivukuvuku and Philiswa Lila. Our collaborative journey began in 2022.

 

The collaborative practice is rooted in the belief that art-making is a shared endeavor, blurring the lines between individuality and collective expression. While we embrace the collective process, we also find space to explore our identities and artistic visions. Through this journey, our friendship has deepened, fostering care and mutual understanding as we navigate the complexities of our personal and artistic lives. Interestingly, our paths had crossed before we worked collaborated, and it was only a matter of time—and the right time—that we united, seamlessly falling into step and working together immediately.

 

For us, art is not just a career but a calling—a path of healing and self-discovery. While it has brought us joy and fulfilment, it has also posed challenges, particularly in terms of sustaining a livelihood solely through artistic practice. Nevertheless, we have learned to surrender to the creative process, embracing intuition and allowing ourselves to be captivated by the work we produce. This journey has taught us that art-making is not about control but about being present with ideas, concepts, and materials, allowing them to unfold organically. Through our collaboration, we continue to explore the transformative power of art and its capacity to heal both ourselves and others.

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Vision Statement:

VukuvukuPhila! envisions a world where creative healing journeys across Africa and the diaspora are woven together and celebrated through artistic expressions, transforming lives and society. We aspire to be a catalyst for positive change, fostering understanding, empathy, and resilience through our work.

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Artistivism Statements:

1. We immerse ourselves in the intricacies of creative processes, engaging multiple senses to amplify new palettes of skills and languages. With deliberate attention to diverse materiality, we extend each moment in time, exploring the landscape of artistic mediums.

 

2. Through our focus on social issues such as feelings, emotions, vulnerability, and gendered violence, VukuvukuPhila! aims to heal and preserve cultural traditions. We utilize art as a powerful tool for social commentary and advocacy, sparking conversations and driving awareness on pressing societal issues.

3. VukuvukuPhila! is committed to nurturing personal and artistic growth, both for ourselves and for the communities we serve. We strive to create inclusive spaces that encourage creativity, experimentation, and self-expression, empowering individuals to discover their unique voices and talents.

 

4. Guided by the belief that memory is a powerful tool for healing and transformation, we engage with memory as a pathway to understanding and reconciliation. By honoring the past and exploring its impact on the present, we seek to facilitate meaningful connections and inspire collective action towards a more just and equitable future.

VukuvukuPhila!

VukuvukuPhila!

VukuvukuPhila!

VukuvukuPhila!

VukuvukuPhila!

VukuvukuPhila!

VukuvukuPhila!

VukuvukuPhila!

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