2025-04-10 Thami Mnyele and Medu Ensemble in Past Disquiet exhibition at Framer Framed
Visit the exhibition Past Disquiet at Framer Framed, curated by Kristine Khouri and Rasha Salti, to find more about Thami Mnyele work as an artist and activist, and a founding member of the Medu Art Ensemble.
The documentary and archival exhibition uncovers a largely forgotten history of politically engaged artists and initiatives and their role in anti-imperialist solidarity movements from the 1960s to the 1980s.
‘After the Soweto uprising in 1976 and following the violent response from the South African government, militants had to operate in the underground or escape to countries bordering South Africa where they could move more freely. The Medu Art Ensemble was founded by a group of Black artists who were inspired by Steven Biko’s Black Consciousness Movement and decided to move to Gaborone.
The collective organised its work in units dedicated to music, theatre, photography, visual arts, film and publishing units and played a tremendous role in disseminating the creative expression of resistance and a militant visual imagery. The Medu Art Ensemble conducted workshops and organised music concerts and theatre performances. However, the design and dissemination of posters were at the core of its mission. Using a variety of printing techniques, the posters were reproduced in the hundreds and smuggled to South Africa via international diplomats and other sympathisers. Posters, predominantly placed on walls in townships, were often torn down by the police within a matter of hours.’
You can visit the exhibition until 25 May.
From the exhibition companion guide.