joy persists

What if we gathered around joy?

joy persists invites you into the worldmaking practices of multidisciplinary local, national and international artists as they honour African American Scholar, Ashon T. Crawley and specifically his question:

“But what if there were a gathering around abundance, pleasure, around joy?”

The 10-day program explores joy, not as a response or in reflection, but in action through visual arts, workshops, film, experimental music and discussion.

The possibilities are endless.

Opening Night : Thursday 15th August, 2024.  19:00 – 22:00

Presented by Soul Alphabet.

joy persists | Producers

Linda Iriza (WA)
Visual Arts, Music and Engagement Programs

Linda Iriza is a Rwandan people weaver, creative producer, and community-aunty-in-training living on Whadjuk Country. Her work navigates African methodologies, ways of being and frameworks of collectiveness. She honours the traditions of dreaming up expansive worlds through writing workshops, community engagement and activation. Linda is interested in learning more about the art of storytelling, Indigenous approaches to anti-colonial resistance, Afro-presentism and intersectional feminist work.

She has a substantive background with the Perth Festival, Fremantle Arts Centre, Arts House, Studio Kiin, Community Arts Network, West Australian Music, Talanoa and the Ministry of Youth and Culture in Rwanda. Linda currently works at Perth Festival as an Associate Producer.

Daniel Matabishi (WA)

Engagement Program and Community Consultation/Outreach

Daniel Matabishi is a Boorloo-based, Congolese health and community worker with a background in health science and public health. Daniel is interested in diversity, equity and inclusion and has a wealth of experience as a facilitator of cultural awareness training.

Hailing from the Democratic Republic of Congo, he is committed to fostering cultural understanding within diverse communities, particularly cultivating cultural safety and celebration of CaLD voices. He has contributed a unique perspective to Perth Festival by advocating for continuous improvement to how the event supports and furthers harmony and inclusivity.