Opening on the occasion of Art Dubai 2024 and curated by Faridah Folawiyo for Efie Gallery, Dubai, Elastic Visions is a group exhibition highlighting African and diaspora artists who innovate beyond traditional artistic boundaries, blending various styles and mediums. While it underscores the importance of representation for people of colour, it also invites viewers to explore the diverse and non-linear spectrum of Black and African art. The exhibition challenges colonial binaries, promoting decolonial self-determination and recognising the dynamic creativity emerging from the African continent and its diaspora. Drawing on the writing of Edward Saïd, Aimé Cesaire, and Frantz Fanon, this exhibition calls for an expanded, flexible art historical canon that appreciates the interconnectedness and forward-thinking nature of these artists, in stark contrast to any colonial notions of backwardness.

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Efie Gallery, a contemporary art gallery in Dubai. Established in 2021 and opened permanently in Al Khayat Art Avenue in 2022, the gallery serves as a global platform for prominent African artists and promotes cross-cultural exchange between Africa, the Middle East, and beyond. Part of Dubai’s Al Quoz Creative Zone, Efie Gallery supports artists through a dynamic residency program and showcases the founders’ collection of rare vinyl and shellac records, celebrating the intersection of art and music. Founded by the Ghanaian Mintah family, Efie Gallery aims to create a vibrant ecosystem for contemporary African art in the UAE.

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