Beyond the Canon: Diaspora, Creativity, and Cultural Power

Globalisto: Unifying the Seen and the Unseen

Rooted in his curatorial vision Globalisto, South African artist, musician, and theorist Ntshepe Tsekere Bopape (Mo Laudi) hosts this compelling conversation with participating artists of Africa Basel and Ibrahim Mohama. Globalisto offers both a poetic and political response to Western-centred frameworks—championing decolonial thinking, multiplicity of voices, and global dialogue through artistic practice. In this episode of Africa Basel Conversations, Mo Laudi explores themes of belonging, migration, and cultural hybridity in conversation with artists whose work navigates the intersections of global entanglement and African realities. Together, they reflect on the role of art in making visible what is often unseen—be it memory, history, or identity—and on how creativity becomes a space for reclaiming narratives and forging new solidarities. Guests: * Alexis Peskine – Visual artist known for powerful portraits exploring diaspora and identity * Helen Nzete – Multidisciplinary artist engaging with memory and the body * Ibrahim Mahama – Ghanaian artist whose large-scale installations address labour, trade, and post-colonial histories Moderated by: Ntshepe Tsekere Bopape (Mo Laudi) – Artist, musician, curator, and founder of the Globalisto platform

Beyond the Canon: Diaspora, Creativity, and Cultural Power

A new generation of creatives of African descent is reshaping Switzerland’s cultural landscape—challenging conventions through bold aesthetics, critical inquiry, and fresh perspectives rooted in diasporic experience. In this dynamic episode of Africa Basel Conversations, moderator Keabetswe Boccomino of Afrinova brings together voices from across the African diaspora in Switzerland and Europe. Working across design, sound, research, and visual culture, the panellists explore how diasporic artists reclaim space, resist dominant narratives, and establish new paradigms of artistic excellence. From reimagining heritage to confronting socio-political structures, this conversation delves into the power of creativity as cultural resistance and affirmation. These practitioners are not only shaping their immediate communities—they are emerging as influential contributors to the global art discourse. Guests: * Tracy September – Artist and cultural practitioner * Joshua Amissah – Multidisciplinary designer and researcher * Sinzo Aanza – Writer, artist, and political commentator Moderated by: Keabetswe Boccomino – Curator, cultural producer, and founder of Afrinova

Preserving Cultural Legacy: Sustaining African Art Collections Across Generations

As Africa’s cultural renaissance gains strength, the question of legacy becomes ever more pressing. How can families, private collectors, and institutions ensure that African art collections are not only preserved, but remain a source of inspiration, learning, and empowerment for generations to come? In this thought-provoking episode of Africa Basel Conversations, our distinguished panel explores the role of intergenerational responsibility in safeguarding African cultural heritage. From the continent to the diaspora, experts and insiders share visionary strategies for sustainable collection management—offering insights into models of stewardship, community engagement, and the evolving role of collectors as cultural custodians. Guests: * Paul Kalu – Art collector and economist * Carey Godwin – Interior designer, print collector, and multidisciplinary artist working in ceramics and weaving * Oliver Enwonwu – Petrochemical engineer, art historian, painter, founder of Omenka Gallery, and President of the Society of Nigerian Artists Moderated by: Sandra Mbanefo-Obiago – Curator, founder and director of SMO Contemporary Art, and advisor on corporate art collections