Image: Two Reclining Women, Zandile Tshabalala (2020)
Southnord x Liljevalchs Konsthall
This October, Liljevalchs will open the doors to When We See Us: A Century of Black Figuration in Painting, a landmark exhibition celebrating 100 years of Black portraiture. Southnord is proud to be programming a series of activations alongside this extraordinary show, bringing new perspectives and dialogues to Stockholm.
Curated by Koyo Kouoh and Tandazani Dhlakama, When We See Us was first presented at Zeitz MOCAA in Cape Town and has since toured to Basel and Brussels. The exhibition showcases works by both internationally renowned and lesser-known artists and celebrates the resilience, essence and political charge of Black joy. The exhibition’s arrival in Stockholm marks an important moment for Nordic audiences in general and Afro-Nordic audiences in particular, offering a self-authored glimpse into the everyday, the joy and revelry, the repose, sensuality, spirituality, triumph and the emancipation of Black existence.
Southnord has have invited a group of inspiring Afro-Swedes to activate the exhibition through guided tours and themed walkthroughs, sonic performances, readings for children, portrait workshops for youth and more throughout the period of the exhibition.
Southnord has have invited a group of inspiring Afro-Swedes to activate the exhibition through guided tours and themed walkthroughs, sonic performances, readings for children, portrait workshops for youth and more throughout the period of the exhibition.
Date: 10 October 2025 - 30 August 2026
Venue:
Liljevalchs+
Falkenbergsgatan 3,
115 21 Stockholm
Programme Lineup
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Author Talk
8 March 2026
In honour of International Women's Day, join us for a richly illuminating talk with bestselling author Lọlá Ákínmádé Åkerström at the When We See Us exhibition at Liljevalchs. In conversation with renowned community organiser and activitst Nyamusi Nyambok, the event will be dedicated to the intersectionality and nuance of Black women in Sweden.
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Reflective Walk
8 February 2026
In this guided tour at Liljevalchs, produced in collaboration with Southnord, David Nzinga invites participants to an in-depth and personal journey through When We See Us. For one hour, he will use ten selected images as starting points for a conversation at the intersection of art, experience and identity.
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Children's Workshop
17 January 2026
Welcome to a creative workshop where children create self-portraits that celebrate identity, imagination, and representation. Lead by graphic designer and illustrator, Andrea Pippins, the participants will be encouraged to explore what makes them unique and express pride in who they are, through drawing and collage. For children aged 6–9 and their adults.
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Guided Meditation
6 December 2025
In this guided session, Stanley Nyoni — a master facilitator, energy healer, personal and leadership coach — will hold space for meditation and reflection inspired by the When We See Us exhibition. Together, we’ll explore our personal and collective longings through conversation, artistic expression, and shared listening.
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Durational Perfomance
8 November 2025 - Ongoing
Southnord invites you to an immersive performance dubbed Becoming Tree, which unfolds monthly throughout the entire duration of When We See Us: A Century of Black Figuration in Painting, at Liljevalchs. Rooted in dance and movement, the work turns the performer’s body into a vessel of rhythm, voice, and breath — where labor and recovery coexist in cycles of repetition and renewal.
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Children's Reading
22 November 2025
Southnord invites you and your little ones to a book reading with child educator, Vera Nyblom. This is the first of a series of children and youth programs we have prepared as part of the When We See Us exhibition at Liljecvalchs. Vera will read various children's books by Afro Nordic authors for an audience aged 4-8.
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Women's Walk
26 October 2025
Join Marcia on an explorative walk-through of the exhibition “When We See Us: A Century of Black Figuration in Painting” focusing on the women depicted in the exhibition. From those in repose, in revelry and in the everyday; Marcia is interested in women as emancipated, sensual and spiritual beings.
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Afro Nordic Blue
17 October 2025
Southnord presents the concert "Afro Nordic Blue" in collaboration with Liljevalchs as part of the program for the exhibition "When We See Us: A Century of Black Figurative Painting", internationally acclaimed as one of the most significant exhibitions of our time
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Afro Swedish History Walk
9 October 2025
Southnord invites you to embark on an enriching and informative walk I slavhandelns fotspår (In the footsteps of the Slave Trade) ahead of the opening of When We See Us: A Century of Black Figuration in Painting at Liljevalchs.
Our Ambassadors
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Andrea Pippins is a Stockholm-based American designer, illustrator, and author whose work empowers children and women, celebrates creativity and culture, and inspires joy and inclusivity. She is the author and illustrator of Who Will You Be, Maya’s World, and The Spark in You and illustrated the Young, Gifted, and Black series. Andrea has collaborated with brands such as Five Below, Instagram, MTV, Nick Jr., and Sephora. Her work has been featured in O: The Oprah Magazine, The New York Times, Essence Magazine, and more.
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Coura Mbaye (b.1982) is a Senegalese-born, Sweden-raised chef, entrepreneur, and author. As a gastronomy leader she is shaping the future of food with culinary stories of tradition, innovation, sustainability. A decade ago she started Kër Mbissane, showcasing West African cuisine through pop-ups and dinner clubs, paving the way for West African food in Sweden. In 2021, she appeared on SVT’sBäst i köket and in 2023 she won Kokboksdrömmen, leading to her debut cook book Teranga: Smaker från Västafrika.
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David Nzinga is a versatile filmmaker, actor, screenwriter, producer and lecturer. He is often invited to panels and industry talks where he shares his experiences with storytelling, creativity and representation in film and culture. As founder of DNZ Pictures, he runs both Swedish and international projects.
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Freddy Houndekindo is an interdisciplinary artist working across dance, performance, text, and installation. His practice reflects on identity, Blackness, and masculinity. Houndekindo is currently completing a Master’s in Fine Art at Mejan (Kungliga Konsthögskolan) and previously danced with Cullberg (2018-2024).
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Georgètte Dwomoh-Appiah is a Ghanian-born multi-talented creative based in Stockholm. She is also the founder of Rouge Palette, an upscale PR firm specialising in African fashion. Georgètte brings a wealth of expertise in marketing communications, public relations, and visual design. As a brand strategist, she thrives on thinking creatively and strategically to elevate the work of other creatives to new heights.
With a deep love for art and culture, and a desire to support and promote African brands, Georgètte is dedicated to helping native and diasporic Africans succeed in a global marketplace through the use of digital technologies.
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One of Condé Nast Traveler’s “Most Powerful Women in Travel,” Nigerian American Swedish Lọlá Ákínmádé Åkerström is an international bestselling author, sought-after keynote speaker, award-winning travel writer and photographer. Her work has appeared in National Geographic, BBC, CNN, The Guardian, the Sunday Times, the New York Times, and Lonely Planet, among others. She is the author of award-winning non-fiction book Due North, international bestsellers LAGOM: The Swedish Secret of Living Well and In Every Mirror She’s Black, NAACP-nominated Everything Is Not Enough, and critically acclaimed Bitter Honey.
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Marcia Harvey Isaksson is a Zimbabwean-born, Swedish-based independent curator, artist and exhibition architect. She is also the founder of Southnord.
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Stanley Nyoni is a master facilitator, coach in personal and leadership development, reiki master and energy healer. He specializes in personal development using tools at the interface of science and spirituality that develop self-awareness leading to trusting relationships, which is essential for building community.
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Vera Nyblom is a Zimbabwean-born, Swedish-based educator with over three decades of pedagogical practice. Her organisational skill and community engagement made her the perfect team member at Southnord during the Southnord Artfest 2023.
