A Fair New Idea?! #4: Multiple Voices – POC POC who’s there?
POC POC Who’s There? is a coaching programme, network and experimental platform for young makers of colour, conceived by Magali Elali.
Following an open call for proposals, a group of young visual artists was selected to receive both individual and joint guidance over the course of a year, towards shaping their careers in the arts. Curators from established art organizations speak with them about their work, ambitions, networks and more. In this way, they can develop or sharpen their skills to find their own way in the sector, as well as broadening their network.
The participating visual artists for the first edition of POC POC Who’s There? are Sadrie Alves, Gladys Bukolo, Lou Cocody-Valentino, Marie Diaby, Maria E André, Awa Gaye, Gaëlle Mwamba, Subin Son, Rose-Myrtha Vercammen en Noam Youngrak Son. They receive guidance from curators from established institutions in Flanders and beyond: Sofia Dati, Helena Kritis, Marie Gomis-Trezise and Karen Van Godtsenhoven.
The programme for the first edition consisted of one-to-one coaching sessions, site visits, workshops, public presentations and community-forming sessions over the course of a year. In May of 2022, Frenchman Ndayé Kouagou was invited to Antwerp to take part in a conversation about his experiences in working internationally as an artist of colour. As part of the community-forming sessions, difficult conversations were also engaged with the established institutions. In December of 2022, under the title, School of Equals, a discussion was held with the participants of POC POC Who’s There? and students and faculty at the LUCA School of Arts in Brussels. The failure of policies of inclusion in higher art education was addressed, and together, the participants sought solutions.
POC POC Who’s There? presented itself for the first time as an artistic community in October 2022, with the group exhibition, Freetown. The title refers to this new community of artists and is about seeking affinity and connection between cultures, individuals and artistic practices.
In January 2023, a new call was launched for a second edition, which will be led by Hélène Dumenil (Ballon Rouge), Magali Elali (The Constant Now), Sorana Munsya (independent curator), Joachim Naudts (Extra City) and Danielle van Zuijlen (Kunsthal Ghent).
