“Period. End of Sentence.” won Best Documentary in Short Subject at the 2019 Academy Awards. The documentary examines cultural omission and the basic obstacles that millions of women still face in accessing disposable sanitary products.
Art
Arts, Culture and Sport South Africa: Meet Nelson Makamo, whose remarkably striking artwork featured on Time Mag Cover
African artists are making their mark on the global stage with their creative expressions. Meet South African painter Nelson Makamo, from Limpopo whose remarkably striking work has been featured on Time Magazine cover. Makamo has exhibited on the international platform, and his work explores childhood innocence.
Politics and Society France to return 26 pieces of art to Benin as report recommends restitution of African artwork
French President Emmanuel Macron says France will return 26 pieces of art to Benin, after receiving a report calling for African artefacts housed in French museums to be returned. The report recommends restitution of objects taken from Africa during “scientific expeditions” and “objects seized within the military contexts”. There are at least 90,000 objects originating from sub-Saharan Africa currently in French Public Collections.
Lifestyle Artificial intelligence art is here
The first-ever original work of art created using artificial intelligence – a machine-learning algorithm that scans historical artwork – has been sold at auction. “Portrait of Edmond de Belamy” (2018) was sold for an astonishing US$432,500.
Arts, Culture and Sport Karmzah, the Superheroine with Cerebral Palsy
World Cerebral Palsy Day is observed every year on 6 October. Cerebral palsy is a neurological condition that is the largest cause of childhood disability. To remedy the lack of disability representation, Farida Bedwei launched “Karmzah!”, a comic book that features a heroine with cerebral palsy.
Arts, Culture and Sport Meet Nicholle Kobi, the Congolese-French illustrator of all the “Gorgeous Shades of Brown”
Popular illustrator Nicholle Kobi is known for her representation of black women in all their variations in an online space that rarely features them and a country that shuns them. Her work is inspired by the simple manifesto “Carefree Yet Refined”.
Lifestyle Njideka Akunyili Crosby – a case study in the vulnerability of trending young artists
Nigerian visual artist Njideka Akunyili Crosby’s botanical painting “Bush Babies” recently sold for a staggering US$3,4 million. Her artwork has consistently been selling for grossly inflated prices. This, according to the artist, does not bode well for longevity and leaves artists vulnerable to manufactured trends.
Lifestyle Fire of The Gods – Reatile Moalusi on his art and society
Photographer Reatile Moalusi’s latest work seeks to break down some of the myths that still serve to stigmatise people with the auto-immune disease vitiligo.
Arts, Culture and Sport Meet Sheillah Charles, the nine-year-old Kenyan artist fulfilling her life’s purpose
Sheillah Sheldone Charles is a nine-year-old Kenyan artist and designer who, even at such a tender age, knows that her talent is her lifelong path