WE ARE THREE by Occupying the Gallery
This commemorative exhibition marks three years since the conceptualisation and creation of Occupying the Gallery, an initiative dedicated to mentorship, artistic development, and creating meaningful opportunities for emerging visual artists. Presented at Keyes Art Mile, where the project first took shape, the exhibition offers a moment to reflect on its development and impact.
The exhibition brings together the class photographs created throughout every iteration of Occupying the Gallery. These collective portraits form a living archive of the programme, capturing the many mentees and occupants who have participated over the past three years. Individually, each image represents a chapter in the programme’s history; together, they tell a story of learning, collaboration, artistic exchange and community.
More than a retrospective, the exhibition celebrates the people who have shaped and sustained Occupying the Gallery. The photographs stand as a testament to the relationships, shared experiences and creative networks that have emerged through the project, and to its commitment to nurturing artistic practice and expanding access to opportunities for visibility and professional growth.
Returning to Keyes Art Mile for this milestone is also a homecoming. The exhibition honours every occupant, mentor, collaborator and supporter who has contributed to Occupying the Gallery over the past three years. Through these collective portraits, it celebrates both where the project began and the creative community it continues to foster.
Acknowledgements:
Occupying the Gallery extends its sincere gratitude to our sponsors and collaborators:
- Keyes Art Mile
- French Institute of South Africa (IFAS)
- National Arts Council of South Africa (NAC)
- Barloworld Empowerment Foundation (BWEF)
- Austrian Cultural Forum
- Danger Gevaar Ingozi (DGI Studios)
- Artist Proof Studio
- LL Editions
- Lightfarm
- David Krut Projects
Their commitment to artistic development, mentorship, and creative exchange has been instrumental in making this journey possible.