Gogos Bench

By Fadzai Mwakutuya 'Fudge' - Afro Art Lab

Fudge is a professional visual artist, ‘artivist’ and creative educator. Working with imagery and messages that demonstrate inclusivity, to re-imagine stories that inform our vibrant multicultural communities. ‘Gogos Bench’ is centred around the healing properties of sea salt, a medium Fudge feels is integral in her most recent practice. Inspired by childhood memories of play, and joy, her dollhouse miniature bench set and salt lamp installation, is a heartfelt iteration, responding to the admirable work of the Friendship Bench project based in her country of origin, Zimbabwe.

“As a migrant artist living in the UK, creativity has been my method of coping with exclusion, and intersectional strongholds of migration." 

This artefact connects with an event in the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival which will share a conversation with the Friendship Bench project (the work of Dr Dixon Chibanda). Fudge looks forward to this disciplinary interaction which will encourage embedding a 'culturally centred’ ethos in mental health advocacy.

For Fudge this year's theme Revolution, also embodies the concept of 'I AM '. Words describing 'I AM': Stimulate, discuss, embody, ritual, progressive cultures, creative reflections, adapt, integrate, advocate, community. differences and commonalities, safe and sound.