Inter-disciplinary art collective Banana Club is proud to announce the launch of its latest project, Ta Pinda, a limited edition zine in Paris. This initiative represents Banana Club’s ongoing commitment to celebrating the resilience, beauty, and creative prowess of black African queer bodies.
The limited-edition zine was created in collaboration with Feu Magazine, a Paris-based publication celebrating queer and Creole identities. This small publication features a collection of film photography and portraits taken by Zambian visual artist Visule Kabunda, showcasing the vibrant talent nurtured through the 2023 Banana Club Artist Fund.
The Ta Pinda zine is accompanied by a travelling exhibition, currently on display in Paris before continuing its journey to Gaborone and Johannesburg. This exhibition serves as a testament to the transformative force of the Banana Club Artist Fund (BCAF), which aims to depoliticize Botswana’s queer representation by empowering emerging creative entrepreneurs from underserved communities. Through financial support, safe spaces, mentorship, and curatorial guidance, BCAF fosters an environment where artistic visions can flourish.
Tanlume Enyatseng, Founder & Creative Director of Banana Club, remarked, ” Ta Pinda,’ a Kalanga and Shona phrase meaning ‘we are entering’ or ‘we are passing through,’. This project serves as both an announcement and an acknowledgment of our presence. In this endeavor, we declare our entry into the homes, hearts, and histories that shape the dynamic tapestry of our community. Through the pages of this zine, we embark on a journey of recognition and exploration, unravelling the stories and images behind the scenes of the 2023 Banana Club Artist Fund.”
The essence of BCAF lies in the intentional dismantling of stereotypes that confine LGBTQIA+ individuals within narratives of poverty and social ills. By opening doors for visual artists across all disciplines, BCAF showcases the diversity and richness of creative expression within the community, celebrating inclusivity and challenging harmful narratives.
Tanlume Enyatseng further added, “Banana Club’s mission has always been to preserve, collect, and uplift stories, works, and archives that amplify African and predominantly black queer voices. With the work we do through The Banana Club Artist Fund, we have expanded our outlook on community and the importance of trust when it comes to nurturing creativity.”
Ta Pinda signifies Banana Club’s intentional arrival into collaborative encounters, forming part of a growing network dedicated to resource sharing for marginalized communities. It represents a collective endeavor to locate ourselves within the vast expanse of creativity, kinship, and difference, standing at the intersection of African world-making and crafting spaces that embrace all forms of expression.