Mandy El Sayegh in Art Basel Conversations The Politics of Artmaking

Friday 14 June 2024

1 – 2pm (Basel)

Mandy El-Sayegh, Artist, London
Kendell Geers, Artist, Brussels
Moderator: Kimberly Bradley, Conversations Curator, Art Basel

How do artists whose practices are considered sociopolitical address current conflicts and their ripple effects? What tangible impact can, could, or should ‘political’ art have now, if any, and how can practitioners best develop their artistic visions and make positive change – as artists, or citizens – in the face of precarious public funding, (self)-censorship, nationalism, and cancel culture? A discussion on the urgency and the registers with which artists respond to the shifting worlds and systems around them.

Mandy El-Sayegh’s practice is rooted in assemblage. Executed in a wide range of media, including densely layered paintings, sculpture, installation, diagrams, as well as performance, sound, and video, El-Sayegh’s work investigates the formation and break-down of systems of order, be they bodily, linguistic, or political. 

Kendell Geers is a pivotal figure in contemporary African art, whose powerful works explore themes of identity, resistance, and the complex legacies of history. With a practice rooted in a deep engagement with his identity as a white African, Geers’s oeuvre stands as a testament to his enduring commitment to grappling with the intricacies of race, power, and social justice. His works challenge viewers to confront uncomfortable truths and question preconceived notions, offering a nuanced and thought-provoking exploration of the human experience. 

The Art Basel 2024 Conversations program is curated by Kimberly Bradley.