INTRO

Dear reader,

The Afrovibes Festival, in collaboration with ZAM Magazine, proudly presents a retrospective exhibition with the works of graphic designer, artist and activist Sindiso Nyoni.

Nyoni is inspired by many great artistic souls. Enter Grapus, the collective of French designers formed during the hopeful and rebellious days of May 1968. Enter Thami Mnyele, an artist and member of the MEDU collective, murdered by apartheid death squads in 1985. His memory is honoured in the Amsterdam Thami Mnyele artist residence, a home for many African artists since the early 90s. And there is Emory Douglas, an American graphic artist and Black Panther.

Nyoni has much in common with all of these activist creatives, including militancy and assertiveness. And just as it was for his predecessors, humour is a sharp weapon in the struggle. But Nyoni’s horizons are broader, too. His Johannesburg-based Studio R!ot also serves international brands and companies, including Hennessy, Netflix, Nike and Penguin. An exciting balancing act!