Johannesburg Youth Co-Curate Migration Exhibition at Bag Factory
The exhibition titled "Growing Up Across Borders: Youth Stories from Johannesburg & Beyond" opened on June 13, 2026, at the Bag Factory Artists’ Studios in Johannesburg. It showcases an array of visual and audio narratives crafted by young individuals, focusing on migration, identity, and personal documentation. Spearheaded by Jane Freedman alongside researchers Glenda Santana de Andrade and Aron Tesfai, the initiative received backing from the European Research Council. By empowering youth as curators, the exhibit explores challenges in education and employment for undocumented individuals, while also fostering a deeper connection between creators and the audience.
Key facts
- Exhibition title: ‘Growing Up Across Borders: Youth Stories from Johannesburg & Beyond’
- Venue: Bag Factory Artists’ Studios, Newtown, Johannesburg
- Opening date: 13 June 2026
- Funded by the European Research Council under ERC-AdG 101141171
- Lead researcher: Jane Freedman; fellow researchers: Glenda Santana de Andrade and Aron Tesfai
- Young people co-curated the exhibition, selecting and organizing photographs
- Photography and podcasts used as complementary storytelling methods
- Documentation is a central theme affecting access to education, health, and employment
Entities
Artists
- Jane Freedman
- Glenda Santana de Andrade
- Aron Tesfai
- Lucia
- Loyiso
- Warda
- Collette
- Brendon Bell-Roberts
Institutions
- Bag Factory Artists’ Studios
- European Research Council
- ART AFRICA
- ERC Project ‘Growing Up Across Borders’
Locations
- Johannesburg
- South Africa
- Newtown
- La Rochelle
- Rocky