"‘Word of the day’ – musings on the words Experiences, Research and Knowledges.

Neo will also contribute to the pre-programme hosted by Bergen Kunsthall on 25 June.

Neo Sinoxolo Musangi works in the fields of art and academia, with a particular interest in queer feminist discourse and research. Employing narrative as a method to explore themes related to identity, history, and the experiences of black, ‘African’, and queer bodies, their work (as research, teaching, performance, poetry, installation, and community organizing) aims to create a sometimes fictional yet experiential universe that challenges ‘traditional’ narratives and highlights the complexities of existence for those often overlooked in historical accounts. Their writing explores themes such as uncertainty, memory, failure, and the imagination of freedom. This body of work reflects an affective exploration that seeks to connect personal experiences with broader social issues.

They engage in performances often situated in public spaces, which serve both as methods of inquiry and as actions that invite collaboration from the audience. This approach emphasizes the ‘body at risk’ and seeks to create dialogues around identity, vulnerability, and community engagement.

Neo is a founding member of the Black Planetary Futures Collective, an initiative that focuses on envisioning alternative futures through collaborative research and artistic practices that center on black experiences and perspectives within global discourses.
As a Senior Research Fellow at CAD+SR, Neo contributes to various research initiatives aimed at fostering critical inquiry into social justice issues through art and design thus promoting collaborative learning environments that challenge traditional educational structures. Within their role as Senior Research Fellow, Neo plays a significant role in The After School, an innovative deschooled educational initiative by CAD+SR that encourages self-organized learning among participants from diverse backgrounds. This program emphasizes global collaboration through immersive residencies that connect participants with local cultures.

Neo also teaches in the larger fields of Gender and Sexuality (including the Politics of Development in Africa and Transgender Africa), as well as Resistance, Movements, and Social Change at American University. Their academic work has been published in edited book volumes and journals as well as included in syllabi across numerous institutions. Their artistic work has been exhibited at, among others: the York Biennale, Dakar Biennale, Kigali Photo Fest, Universiteit van Amsterdam, and University of Cape Town,!Kauru Contemporary Art.