Merilyn Mushakwe

Mushakwe is a multidisciplinary Curator, Writer and Researcher whose work delves into the intricate tapestry of social relations, interactions, and power dynamics within communities. The central theme of her artistic practice revolves around the subject matter of people and community, highlighting their significance as the core of her creative exploration. Mushakwe engages with the term ‘People-ing’, which she has defined as ‘the act of being People’. In her words: ‘People-ing involves engaging in social interactions and building connections. It embraces human traits, the unique and oftentimes highly nuanced characteristics and experiences that define our humanity.’ Drawing inspiration from the everyday experiences of individuals, Mushakwe pays keen attention to the often-overlooked details that shape and define our lives. She approaches her public artworks and exhibitions as living and evolving entities, recognising their capacity for growth and transformation.                                 Mushakwe’s work serves as a profound reflection on the diverse ways in which the human mind processes and interprets situations. Through her work, she invites viewers to contemplate their tendencies to overlook the obvious and encourages a deeper understanding of the extent to which they can shape and control their surroundings. She holds a BA with Honours from the University of the Witwatersrand and has participated in prestigious programs like the Contemporary And (C&) Mentorship programme and the ARAK Collection Critical Writing Workshop. Her written works have been published in various publications, including Contemporary And (C&) Magazine, The National Gallery of Zimbabwe Catalogue for the Venice Biennial, and The Sunday Mail Newspaper. She is also a regular contributor to Collective Action Magazine (South Africa).Mushakwe’s current focus for the Fellowship is on artists who work with archival material in order to make sense of, among other things, identity and migration.

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