Salon Sequins

Curatorial Assistant, Photography.

A collaborative exhibition between with the Sequins, Self, and Struggle archive and Salon Kewpie which opened on 18 July 2024 at the Michaelis Galleries.

Salon Kewpie and Sequins, Self, and Struggle each centre on an important archival resource: the Kewpie Collection, held at GALA Queer archive, and the Miss Gay Western Cape pageant collection from 2008 to 2015 (renamed Miss Sovereign WC in 2022).

Both projects are joined by a deep investment in archiving local queer histories. Salon Kewpie is galvanised by Kewpie's actions as a visionary archivist of herself and her community and by the ever-growing public excitement about the incredible archive that she has left us with. With the aim of contributing to the continued circulation and expansion of this historically significant archive, Salon Kewpie has, since 2021, documented their public and educational programming that aims to celebrate Kewpie's vital legacy and make it more accessible to a wider audience.

Salon Sequins is curated by Jade Nair and Nina Milner, with Ruth Ramsden-Karelse contributing to the exhibition text.