Dialogue Among Civilizations

Art and Poetry inspire dignity, respect, pride, and freedom of expression, imagination, recognition of the individual, creativity, excellence and human rights, Jan Jordaan (AFH).

Dialogue Among Civilisations is a collaboration between artists and poets representing 35 countries and six Durban (South Africa) sister cities. Participants were invited to create work on the theme of Identity, land, object and belief. Through this exhibition, 42 visual artists and 41 poets voice their concerns of the various communities they represent.

Dialogue among Civilisations aims to inspire the viewer with ‘moral ownership’ and for the public to internalise the values advocated by the art and poetry. These values include creativity, freedom of expression, human rights, excellence, dignity, pride, inspiration, reflection, cultural heritage as well as respect for individual rights and independence.

Dialogue among Civilisations is an arts initiative which seeks to address racism, xenophobia, and the plight of refugees. The project involves collaboration between artists and poets from Africa and from other countries.

Participating artists include Kim Berman, Themba Shibase (South Africa), Marcelo Brodsky (Argentina), William Kelly (Australia), Guto Nobrega (Brazil), Barthelemy Tuguo (Cameroon), Bruce Rimmel (England), Marie Helene (Haiti), Colleen Conradi (Italy), Ayaka Okutsu (Japan), Mel Edwards (USA), Samson Kambalu (Mozambique) and Justin Igala (Uganda), Alex Carrascosa and Kirmen Uribe (Basque Country, Spain).

Art for Humanity (AFH) is an organisation which engages with cultural production, specifically in the visual arts, to promote Human Rights awareness in South Africa, across Africa and internationally. The organisation focuses on the creation of Fine Art Print portfolios, in collaboration with participating artists, poets, endorsers, exhibitions, publications, billboards and research projects, thinking that the art created today will influence the social values of future generations.