Zizipho Poswa and American interdisciplinary artist Shani Crowe will participate in a live cross-cultural collaboration at Expo Chicago 2023 on Saturday, 15 April. The event is presented by Southern Guild in collaboration with Norman Teague Design Studio and Michael Graham/Balloon, with support from Rebuild Foundation and Expo Chicago.

The two artists come together for a live hair-braiding session, informal discussion and ceramic demonstration. Crowe, who is well-known for her 2016 photographic series, titled Braids, will create an iconic hairstyle for Poswa on-site at Expo Chicago. The synergies between the two artists’ work are rich, and came to light most recently with Poswa’s 2022 solo exhibition, uBuhle boKhokho (Beauty of Our Ancestors). For this collection of monumental ceramic and bronze sculptures, she explored historic and contemporary practices of hair-making by Black women that included references to Crowe’s work.

At the fair, the two artists will talk about their work, the creativity and heritage inherent in Black women’s hairstyles, and issues pertinent to Black women on both sides of the Atlantic. Once the braiding is complete, Poswa will make a small ceramic sculpture of the hairstyle.

Poswa’s uBuhle boKhokho limited-edition prints will be launched at the Southern Guild booth (Booth 271) at the expo, with only 50 box-sets being produced and made available for purchase.

EVENT INFORMATION:
DATE: Saturday 15 April 2023
TIME: 12 noon – 5pm
LOCATION: Expo Chicago, Navy Pier (inside the West Entrance of Festival Hall)

Admission is free with Expo Chicago ticket.