Climate Lounge is a project that uses creativity and various art forms to bring awareness, healing and hope around climate/socio-environmental challenges and solutions. Their pop-up lounges take the form of healing lounges, learning & solidarity lounges and performance lounges.

“Yet We Imagine” showcases the work of SouthAfrican artists responding specifically to the themes explored throughout workshops and partnerships between ClimateLounge and DearTomorrow.

Hugo Kanyingu Kabeya – A Congolese artist based in Cape Town whose work examines the intersection of memory, identity, and socio-political landscapes. Presenting “In Between the Lines.”

Lilitha Buti – A multi-media artist and storyteller from Cape Town, passionate about human-nature relationships and the teachings of the more-than-human world. Presenting the collage work “The Plants Teach Us.”

Tayla Paige – A published eco-poet from the small gold-mining town of Benoni who aims to take the ego out of nature and help us remember what Earth is worth beyond profits. Presenting “Tarot Triptych of Clima Incognita.”

Anele Kose – A poet, actor, and published writer who currently facilitates literature at Hope Centre and is a resident script writer and director for Rainbow Arts Organization in Delft. Presenting “I overheard the wind conversing with trees.”

Shameelah Khan – A multidisciplinary artist from Cape Town, whose work explores themes of climate change, memory, culture, gender, and playfulness. Presenting “On Fragility.”

Ancia Cornelius – An ethnobotanist and artist who finds inspiration in the delicate interplay between people and nature, celebrating how small moments reveal the strength and resilience of ecosystems. Presenting “Specimens of Wonder.”

Imān Zanele Omar – A writer, poet and community activist with a passion for social justice and community outreach who aims to be a custodian of narrating issues affecting humanity through poetry. Presenting “Rooted in Earth. Rising for Justice.”

Sarah Robyn Farrell & Mikhaela Faye – Sarah is a multidisciplinary creative practitioner who has been working in the climate and sustainability space for over a decade, is the imaginator behind Climate Lounge and co-curator of the exhibition. Mikhaela is a producer, composer and songstress with a love for collective collaboration that challenges the seemingly impossible. Presenting the sound installation “At the end of the river is a tree.”

Claire Rousell – An artist and researcher focusing on environmental justice who works closely with civil society and community organizations to illustrate their work. Co-curating the exhibition and presenting “Written on the Lungs – Umoya Obulalayo.”

Turning Into Flowers Project – A botanical dialogue between art and science that explores the heritage of flowers through photography, film, and live performance. Presenting and performing “Calling The Flowers Home.”

Janet Ranson with the children of Wolvengat – Janet makes paintings, sculptures, and land art in response to her surroundings and fascination with the flow of nature. After discussions with local residents about climate change and climate justice, she and the children of this rural settlement presented “Calling Aardwolve.”

Khwela CBO and Luhlaza youth – Khwela is a community based organisation that uses after school performing arts and theatre programs to foster creativity, confidence, and life skills in primary and high school learners based in Khayelitsha. In preparation for And Yet We Imagine, they engaged for the first time with climate change theatre, creating a performance piece using poetry, movement and music.

Images and video captured by DOLLIEHOUSE