A high court in South Africa recently made a decision that has caused quite a stir in the art world. Gabrielle Goliath, a well-known artist, had her proposed exhibition, Elegy, rejected by the court. This exhibition was meant to represent South Africa at the prestigious Venice Biennale, an international cultural event held in Italy. The court's decision to uphold the cancelation of Goliath's pavilion came just hours before the submission deadline, potentially leaving South Africa without representation at the event.
Initially selected by nonprofit organization Art Periodico, Goliath's work aimed to showcase the talent and creativity of South Africa and its native artists. However, the country's Culture Minister, Gayton McKenzie, deemed the exhibition "highly divisive" and canceled its submission. The piece, which paid tribute to the victims of international and local atrocities, including the killings of queer individuals and women in South Africa, also included a tribute to Palestinian poet Abu Nada, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike.
Goliath argued that the cancelation of her exhibition violated her freedom of expression and that the government official did not have the authority to make such a decision. She expressed her concerns over the court's ruling, stating that it further silenced the stories of these slain voices. "As an artist, I am interested in shedding light on the conditions that allow violence to occur and refusing to accept them as normal," she questioned.
On the other hand, McKenzie's representative defended the decision, claiming that the culture minister felt misled about the true nature of Goliath's exhibition. He even cut ties with the nonprofit organization over the selection issue. He made multiple attempts to cancel the submission, citing its connection to a "widely polarizing" international conflict, which the pavilion committee viewed as an act of censorship.
Goliath has remained firm in her stance against the decision, emphasizing that her work does not promote violence but instead highlights the importance of mourning, survival, and healing in the face of such violence. "My work is not about violence; it centers on the practices of mourning, survival, and repair, despite being disregarded by societal norms," she reiterated. She sees her work as a part of a larger decolonial Black feminist project that prioritizes care and radical love.
In the midst of this controversy, South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe has also made headlines by stepping down from his role at a mining company he founded. This news is not related to the court's decision regarding Goliath's exhibition but adds to the current discourse surrounding the country's cultural and political climate. As the art world continues to grapple with issues of censorship and freedom of expression, Goliath's powerful message of love and healing through her art remains at the forefront.
