We are excited to announce that the 39th SAVAH conference will be hosted by the
Fine Art Department, Rhodes University, Makhanda, and the National Research Foundation Arts of Africa Research programme, from 23-26 September 2026.
The theme of the conference (and festival!) will be
Reaching Sideways, Creating Our Ways
The idiomatic phrase, “to go sideways” suggests that something is going wrong – it fails, veers out of control, deviates from the original plan, takes a turn for the worst, or ends up a disaster. Similarly, if a situation “goes south” it is said to be declining, decreasing in value, weakening or decaying. Such idioms are predicated on Western ideas of linearity, hierarchy, privilege and value that favour the global north. But what if we consciously reach sideways? What if we actively embrace a sideways slip and, with lateral thinking, we contest value-driven assumptions about up/down or success/failure?
Download the Call for Papers below to read further!
Please submit an abstract of 300 to 400 words via the abstract submission webform (to be launched shortly) by 15 April 2026. Include a short bio with your affiliation (if applicable) and clearly indicate the format of your proposed presentation. Successful applicants will be notified by the end of April 2026.
