The gathering titled THE BODY & ARTmarked the first in a series of events aimed at exploring the connections between the body and creative practices. Buhlebezwe’s keynote provocation set the tone, encouraging a reconceptualization of how we view the body in art. Insights emerged on the body as a site of artistic expression, healing, spirituality, and political discourse. Presenters, including Buhlebezwe, Fatima, and Shanti, shared how ritualistic actions in their creative processes—such as prayer, intuitive flow, and ancestral rituals—forge deeper connections. Jenni highlighted how academic reflection can arise from these embodied experiences, while Kirti emphasized art’s role in supporting mental health alongside medical science. The gathering recognized the body as both a physical and metaphysical site of creation and healing, fostering discussions about autonomy and the subconscious in creative practice

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