The University of Johannesburg’s Arts & Culture, a division within the Faculty of Art, Design, and Architecture (FADA) is proud to announce the third cohort of artists selected for the 2024 Artists in Residence (AIR) programme. This programme is designed to foster research through artistic practice, tasking artists with completing at least one creative output project within a 12-month period, meeting the Department of Higher Education’s standards for creative output. Residencies are available across various disciplines including Visual and Fine Arts, Music, Theatre, Performance and Dance, Design, Film and Television, and Literary Arts.
On 25 July 2023, the UJ Artists in Residence Programme issued its third call for submissions through the Creative Outputs Task Team. The deadline for applications was 31 August 2023. Over 227 artists from around the globe expressed keen interest in collaborating with the Creative Outputs Task Team. Ultimately, 113 applications were received. From this pool of applicants, 6 outstanding artists were chosen to participate in the esteemed 2024 AIR Programme.
They are;
Mr. Edouard Duval-Carrié – Visual Art Residency, hosted by VIAD
Edouard Duval-Carrié was born in Port-au-Prince and emigrated to Puerto Rico with his family as a child during the François Duvalier regime. He pursued his education in Canada, earning a Bachelor of Arts from Loyola College, Montréal, and later attended the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, France. His artwork has been exhibited across Europe and the Americas.
Mr. Heinrich Nieuman – Visual Art Residency, hosted by VIAD
Heinrich Minnie, born in 1991 in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, relocated to Cape Town with his family at fourteen and resides there presently. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art in 2014 and a Master of Fine Art in 2020 from the University of Cape Town. His work has been showcased in notable exhibitions such as ‘The Nonrepresentational’ at Stevenson (2021), ‘Main Complaint’ at Zeitz MOCAA (2018), and ‘Suspension of Disbelief’ at Brundyn+ (2015). Minnie’s artistic practice revolves around exploring urbanization and digitization themes through video art and installations.
Ms. Janneke De Lange – Visual Art Residency, hosted by VIAD
Janneke de Lange, a native of the Netherlands and a graduate of the Design Academy Eindhoven, specializes in designing with a focus on exploring both traditional and unconventional aspects of materials. Her approach involves hands-on work within specific conceptual parameters. She draws inspiration from nature and natural phenomena, with a particular interest in integrating elements from the scientific realm into her design projects, stemming from a year of studying chemistry.
Mr. Keenan Meyer – Music Residency, hosted by UJ Arts and Culture
Keenan Meyer, a pianist and composer from Johannesburg, South Africa, is celebrated for his captivating performances and innovative compositions. His musical journey began in his youth, immersed in the diverse cultural landscape of his homeland. Showing a keen interest in music from an early age, Meyer began piano lessons in 2007, quickly developing his skills under dedicated guidance. His exceptional talent earned him recognition and awards during his education at The National School of the Arts, highlighting his unwavering commitment to his craft.
Mx. Louise Westerhout – Visual Art Residency, hosted by VIAD
Louise Westerhout, (she/they) a queer and disabled artist based in Cape Town, South Africa, is a multifaceted individual with roles as a published poet, therapist, performance artist, curator, and educator. Their work delves into exploration of various themes including illness, body, consciousness, post-humanism, anti-speciesism, misogyny, trauma, healing, and social justice/environmental activism. Holding a BA (Hons) in African Studies/Anthropology from UCT, Westerhout’s performances have been showcased on numerous South African platforms such as the National Arts Festival, Infecting the City, ICA Live Art Festival, Artsability Festival, Vrystaat Kunstefees, as well as internationally at the IntegrArt Festival in Switzerland.
Mr. S’fundo Sosibo – Literary Arts Residency, hosted by the English Department
S’fundo, an absurdist writer and former Drama and Creative Arts lecturer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, is deeply passionate about both teaching and writing theater. His artistic and scholarly endeavors often revolve around exploring Afro-Queer narratives within the South African context. S’fundo is also an award-winning poet and playwright, with his works featured in prestigious events such as the National Arts Festival and the Almasi African Playwrights Conference. He recently hosted the first queer literary symposium in Zimbabwe, and his latest work, Platform ∞, was shortlisted for the Time of the Writer Short Story Competition in 2023. In late 2023, S’fundo served as a Writing Fellow at the Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Study (JIAS).
