Banana Emoji is an artist-led organization that sits at the intersection of Art, Culture and Audiences. We are a multi-disciplinary consultancy that works with artists and organizations, using unique insights into niche subcultures to curate multimedia content and experiences.
We center the voices of artists in public discourse, expanding what participation in a democracy looks like; reshaping conversations about politics and provoking a change in consciousness.
ABOUT BANANA CLUB
Launched in 2019, as a community project by Banana Emoji, Banana Club is an artist-led collective aimed at creating safe space platforms for dialogues in the LGBTQIA+ community. Banana Club aims to work with various key Publics to promote the visibility and inclusion of queer individuals in Botswana through contemporary art and strategic engagements.
What is the Banana Club Artist Fund?
It is a month-long residency designed to support LGBTQIA+ creative entrepreneurs as they produce and present an artistic project facilitated through the support of Banana Club.
Why? βWhen we speak of building an archive of Botswana artists, we need to first get the artists to create, and give them the platforms to show their work.β – Ngozi Chukura, Multidisciplinary Artist.
As Banana Club we wish to develop a platform for emerging artists to receive financial support, mentorship and opportunities to create and sell their work.
What does the residency offer?
The artist in residence will complete a month-long residency, where they will produce and showcase an artistic project. Banana Club will offer the following support:
- Mentorship from an established artist, facilitated by Banana Club.
- Creative Direction on artistic project
- Financial support to buy material for their project
- PR and Marketing support
- Help draft a bio and design a profile if needed
- An exhibition for their showcase
Vol 1. Our first artist in residency is Troy Gabolwelwe of Versa La Troy.
Mentor – Anwar Bougroug of Bougroug. (IG: https://www.instagram.com/anwarbougroug/ / https://www.instagram.com/bougroug/ )