In June 1985, 35 years ago, Thamsanqa Thami Mnyele, a South African artist and activist, living and working in exile in Botswana, was killed by death squads of the Apartheid regime. 2020 marks 30 years since the artist residence was opened in honor of his memory in the Amsterdam Kinkerbuurt. Since then, over 120 artists from all parts of Africa have been resident at the studio. In the upcoming event at Studio ZAM, organised in collaboration with the Thami Mnyele Foundation, we follow the trail of Thami Mnyele's life. We welcome guests who knew him and are familiar with the significance of his work and its meaning. Unique film footage of the artist from 1982 will be shown at the event and a portrait of Mnyele, painted in 1991 by one of the first residents, Clifford Charles, will be exhibited. The event also serves as inspiration to the Moroccan artist Adam Belarouchia, the first resident in 2020, who will devote a new work to Mnyele during his stay.  Belarouchia is in Amsterdam at the invitation of the Thami Mnyele Foundation and ZAM Magazine. Other organizations with which the Foundation maintains a special relationship will also nominate guests in 2020: the Rijksmuseum, the Prince Claus Fund and the Amsterdam Museum. Register here.

thamimnyelefoundation zam