The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is proud to announce a groundbreaking collaboration with the Art in Black Foundation to present The South African Collective — a debut curatorial art exhibition spotlighting five dynamic visual artists from South Africa.
Curated by Allana Foster Finley of Cur8Afsrica, The South African Collective is the inaugural fine art initiative of the Art in Black Foundation—founded by Ellis Friday, a visionary young creative committed to cultural connection, with support from his parents, Nicole and Jeff Friday. This curated experience marks an evolution in ABFF’s programming, expanding the festival’s cultural offerings to include global visual art in dialogue with Black film, media and storytelling.
The idea for this collaboration was born during an immersive art tour through South Africa led by Finley and attended by Jeff Friday. Inspired by the depth of artistic talent and cultural expression, the journey laid the foundation for what would become this inaugural showcase. Friday had this to say, “This exhibition is an exciting step forward in ABFF’s mission to uplift global Black creatives, we are proud to provide a platform where African art and cinematic storytelling can exist in conversation, inspiring deeper cultural connection.”
Featured Artists:
Steve Maphoso – A self-taught Angolan-born artist, Maphoso blends acrylic and charcoal to create emotionally resonant portraits. His current series centers on twin boys guided by ancestral intention, exploring themes of migration, ritual and brotherhood through symbolic narrative and layered abstraction.
Thabiso Dakamela – With roots in Venda and Ndebele heritage of Southern African people, Dakamela’s Afrocentric work examines identity and emotion. His expressive style—often rendered in powerful blues—has earned national recognition, and his DKS Project House supports emerging artists in South Africa.
Assan Taylor – Known for textured portraits combining oil, charcoal, gold leaf and found materials, Taylor’s work bridges tradition and innovation. His bold, multilayered pieces reflect the vibrancy of contemporary Southern African culture and human connection.
Siyabonga Mlambi – Originating from South Africa’s Eastern Cape, Mlambi’s art is deeply rooted in Nguni tradition and modern innovation. His unique style, Khanda-Art Superblur African Synthetic Cubism, employs fabric, stones, and mixed media to evoke unity, imagination and spiritual energy.
Ayanda Moyo – A Zimbabwean artist whose work in charcoal and acrylic explores identity and culture, Moyo’s emotionally rich paintings invite deep reflection on the shared human experience through bold, expressive techniques.
Together, these artists bring their individual perspectives to a collective narrative that intersects visual art with ABFF’s broader mission to celebrate and amplifying Black stories worldwide. The exhibition, open exclusively to festival attendees, is on view during the ABFF, taking place from the 12th until the 14th of June 2025, at the New World Center in Miami Beach.
