"100 Years Black History Month Bayreuth" – Student exhibition at the Iwalewahaus

While one course developed the artistic works, a second course focused on the curatorial implementation. The result: a multi-layered exhibition that deals with representations of Black history, present and future in Bayreuth. Just two days after the opening, the Iwalewahaus was already bustling with activity: from 8 a.m. onwards, school classes from grades 5 to 11 of the Christian-Ernestinum Gymnasium visited the exhibition. 

For many of the young visitors, it was their first in-depth encounter with topics related to African history, colonial imagery and Black identity in a local context. "Above all, I was pleasantly surprised by the knowledge that the Year 5 pupils already had," says Prof. Dr. Natasha A. Kelly, Professor of Global African Arts and Artistic and Scientific Director of the Iwalewahaus. 

Collins, one of the participating students from Ghana, was delighted with the positive response: "The pupils are very interested in the exhibits." He and his fellow student Derrick, both studying African Verbal and Visual Arts, work in the "Education" team, which developed the educational formats for school classes.

Artworks between visibility, criticism and context

The exhibition brings together different formats – from painting to video installation. One painting depicting the Bayreuth campus particularly caught the eye of many guests. The depiction deliberately refers to the long but often invisible history of people of African origin at the university, which extends far beyond the Institute of African Studies.

Another key work is a video installation about the fountain in front of the New Palace. It is accompanied by a dance performance and a poem that takes a critical perspective: stereotypical representations of Africa, as found in the fountain, are replaced by positive African narratives. 

At the same time, the poem emphasises the cultural and spiritual significance of water, which is understood as memory in many cultural contexts. 

Derrick is pleased with the impact of the works. "Our artworks are well received," he says. Black History Month has a century-long tradition internationally and is now being celebrated in this form for the first time in Bayreuth. The exhibition highlights how students link global historical lines with local places of remembrance. It also shows how artistic practice and academic reflection can complement each other when both are in the same hands.

Photos of the opening reception were taken by Robert Götze/Fabrica Lux.