organisations
RAW MATERIAL COMPANY is a center for art, knowledge and society. Since its launch in 2008, it has functioned as a mobile art initiative unfolding within the realms of exhibition making, commissioning, knowledge sharing, and archiving of theory and criticism. It works to foster appreciation and growth of African artistic and intellectual creativity. The underlying rationale of its program is the firm belief in visual arts as a potent tool capable of shifting views, and ignite engagement for art practice as a viable path for social and political transformation. The program is transdisciplinary and is equally informed by urbanity, literature, film, architecture, politics, fashion, cuisine, and diaspora.
The core of RAW MATERIAL COMPANY is the resource centre, RAWBASE, offering a sustained discursive program through artist talks, portfolio review sessions, masterclasses, symposia, lectures, panel and round table discussions and research presentations. RAWBASE aims at establishing an extensive library/archive on contemporary art with an emphasis on African and Africa related practices. The facility is directed towards a national as well as an international educational and research audience.
Additional operational tools are RAW Gallery, a 100 sq m. exhibition space, and RAW Residency, a residential facility for artists, curators and writers specializing in photography, video and art in the public space La Compagnie, a roof top bar/restaurant, rounds up the concept of a free space for art practice and critical exchange.