Teresa Kutala Firmino: Space for new ideas

Johannesburg-based multimedia artist Teresa Kutala Firmino works with painting, photography, and performance to explore personal and collective trauma. During her residency at the Forster Gallery, she aims to find new inspiration for her artistic practice in Zanzibar.

Teresa Kutala Firmino, what artistic expectations do you have for your residency at the Forster Gallery in Zanzibar?
After completing my three-year project “The Owners of the Earth”, I was looking for a place to pause and develop ideas that had not yet found space in my studio. I need an environment that allows me to reset and begin my next series of works. At the same time, it is a welcome opportunity to step away from the fast-paced life of Johannesburg and immerse myself in a place with a rich history. I am excited to see how Zanzibar will shape my artistic practice.

Do you have a specific plan for your time in the Forster Gallery studio?
My plan is to fully engage with the space and see what inspiration emerges. I will conduct research, experiment with new materials, and explore different working methods. The residency also gives me the opportunity to present my work, share my experiences with the local art scene, and hopefully receive valuable feedback.

You are married and have children. How do you manage your life as an artist, which often requires time and flexibility?
There is a saying: It takes a village to raise a child. I have that village – a strong community of family and friends who support me, and I do the same for them. It is not always easy, but my network, including my partner, who is also an artist, provides me with the foundation I need to grow my career. I encourage all artist mothers to build such a support system – no one has to do everything alone. I can travel and pursue my art because I know my children are safe with the people I love and trust.

What are your expectations for the exhibition that will conclude your residency at the Forster Gallery?
A month is a very short time to create a comprehensive exhibition. However, I hope to present some works and ideas. The studio at the Forster Gallery will serve as a project space, and at the end of my residency, I would like to invite people to engage in dialogue with the work I have created.

A remarkable artistic journey
Since completing her Master of Fine Arts at the University of the Witwatersrand in 2018, Teresa Kutala Firmino has seen a meteoric rise in her career. Her rapid development as an artist is truly impressive. Her work has evolved from intimate storytelling to a powerful artistic voice that reflects both historical and contemporary African experiences. Her engagement on an international level demonstrates that she is not only an artist but also a cultural chronicler, shaping narratives that extend far beyond the canvas

Teresa Kutala Firmino’s artistic vision

Teresa Kutala Firmino is a Johannesburg-based multimedia artist whose work explores personal and collective trauma. Her art reflects the experiences of African communities affected by colonialism, civil wars, and contemporary struggles. She constructs vibrant, stage-like compositions by assembling images from magazines, historical documents, and social media, creating alternative narratives of African history.
Firmino particularly examines how Black women navigate life despite deep-seated trauma. She poses critical questions: Are they truly living, or merely existing – trapped in the aftermath of colonialism, war, and betrayal? Her work also challenges us to consider whether understanding trauma means recognizing that the perpetrator may themselves be part of a larger cycle of violence.