Building Africa Exhibition: London
GALLERY
Exhibition Overview
The "Building Africa" exhibition told compelling stories about political institutions and identities across the continent, using architectural landmarks such as presidential palaces, courts, parliaments, schools, sports stadiums, airports, and the African Union building. The exhibition underscored how these structures play a pivotal role in shaping political landscapes. Design teams from Ethiopia, South Africa, and Ghana crafted installations that initially debuted in Addis Ababa, Johannesburg, and Accra. These installations provided a lens into local responses to iconic buildings, highlighting the nuanced interplay between architectural concepts and public sentiment.
The exhibition stemmed from the African State Architecture project at SOAS University of London, mapping political institutions and identities in eight African countries through the exploration of iconic buildings. Funded by the European Research Council (ERC), the project was part of the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program.
Building Africa was curated by Julia Gallagher, Professor of African Politics at SOAS and Dr Kuukuwa Manful, Assistant Professor of Architecture at the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, University of Michigan. It ran from 10th January to 16th March 2024 at the Brunei Gallery, London. The exhibition was reviewed in Architects Journal.
London Exhibition Team:
Kuukuwa Manful (Overall exhibition design)
David Abbey-Thompson (Graphic design)
Sunil Pun (Documentary editing & Project coordination)
Motong Yang & Benedicta Quarshie (Technical drawings)
Maamesi Manful (3D Visualisation)
Ben Thorne & James Williamson (Fabrication)
Helen Ikla, Thandi Loewenson and & Hollingworth (Design and staging consultation),
and thanks to Laurie Flint
Designers for Africa-based Installations:
Addis Ababa - Nahom Teklu Bekele
Johannesburg - Khensani Jurczok-de Klerk, Aude Tollo, Tshego Mako, & Tapiwa Manase of Matri-Archi(tecture)
Accra - Augustine Owusu-Ansah & Lois N.K Quartey. London - Kuukuwa Manful.