BLVCK BLOCK is a dynamic arts organisation committed to nurturing emerging talent and fostering creative growth in the arts sector. Through its three core programmes—Artist Residency Programme, Exhibition Programme, and Outreach Programme with the UKhamba Pottery Cooperative in Mpumalanga—the organisation seeks to empower underrepresented Black artists, facilitate their professional development, and provide crucial market opportunities.
A FEAST OF FLESH AND PRAYER
A solo exhibition by Masindi Mbolekwa
31 May - 15 June 2025
Opening:
31 May 2025 at 11am
Eliis House Art Building
'Feast of Flesh and Prayer' brings together a body of work built on grief, hope and a deeply poetic analysis of surrender and continuous acts of "salving" as methods for resistance against the metaphysical deaths that take form in contemporary life from a postcolonial, migratory and existential perspective.
In presenting and reflecting on migratory histories, Xhosa material practices, stolen agencies, natal alienations, familial violences, false geographies, and the recontextualized spiritual "Sickness Unto Death" (Kierkegaard, 1849) Mbolekwa manifests a prayer, a body of work that is in it's very realisation a salve, a bulwark, a hope.
Artist Residency Programme
The BLVCK BLOCK Artist Residency Programme supports young, Black, and emerging artists in their creative journeys. This programme offers artists an immersive environment to develop their skills, expand their practice, and refine their portfolios. In addition to access to studio space and resources, the residency connects artists with industry professionals, mentors, and market opportunities, enabling them to showcase their work and build sustainable careers in the arts.
Exhibition programme
Through its Exhibition Programme, BLVCK BLOCK curates and organises exhibitions featuring the artists' work in the residency. This program provides a platform for young and emerging Black artists to present their creations to a broader audience, enhancing their visibility within the local and international art scenes. The exhibitions foster dialogues around contemporary art, culture, and identity while facilitating the artists' networking and sales opportunities.
Outreach Programme
In collaboration with the UKhamba Pottery Cooperative in Mpumalanga, BLVCK BLOCK's Outreach Programme empowers women in the region by strengthening the cooperative's operations. The programme aims to enhance the skills and business acumen of the women involved in pottery production, ensuring the cooperative runs efficiently and sustainably. By providing training, resources, and support, the initiative helps to create economic opportunities for the women and ensures that their craftsmanship is recognised and celebrated in the broader market.