DOM, curated by Onyịnye Alheri.

DOM interrogates the narrative of domination currently utilised across nations and cultures to sustain hierarchies of value within socio-political configurations. Domination and dominance signify the complete overtaking by a powerful figure over a submissive figure (henceforth referred to as sub), necessitated by an imbalance of authority and access.
Abrahamic faiths and their resultant social systems have conditioned the masses to believe that human beings have dominion over all forms of life, granting us the right to beat, kill, maim or otherwise subjugate beings coded as "non-human" for the benefit of humanity, which many consider removed or outside of nature. Governments, kingdoms, and other state apparatuses seize power through the theft of lands, peoples and resources for the sake of creating and maintaining a centralised body of control.
Through socialisation within global white supremacy and patriarchy, many of us have come to think of being the DOM as the ideal condition; the DOM is the holder of power, authority and influence who is inherently better than the sub. In fact, the sub is said to need the DOM, without whom they are weak, stupid, ineffective or otherwise useless. Domination and hierarchy have become so embedded into the collective consciousness that many of us struggle to relate and exist in a way that does not place a person, living creature, place or relationship as above or below another.
This widely accepted state of domination allows for the present day state of affairs which has seen whole landscapes, species and human cultures decimated so that other beings deemed more valuable can thrive and multiply. This global domination is upheld through the continued devaluation of certain non-humans and humans alike.
DOM draws attention to current socio-political conflicts taking place on the African continent and the adjacent Levant region, namely the genocides in Sudan and Palestine, and the conflict in the DRC. It is a gesture towards a conversation about how and why some beings are considered deserving of suffering while others are allowed to live in bliss. It is also a call to action for viewers to question our current way of relating to one another and the earth in a hierarchized manner, encouraging a shift toward egalitarianism in interpersonal, interspecies and social interaction.

Artwork Details: Abdullah Omer, Untitled #7, 2024,  Acrylic on Canvas, 30 cm x 30 cm, R4,400.00 ex. VAT

Onyịnye's vision goes beyond mere awareness. As the concept of DOM (Domination) explores, narratives of domination have conditioned us to accept inequalities and the suffering of those deemed "sub" by those in power. This applies not only to human hierarchies but also to our relationship with the environment. We witness the devastating consequences of this mindset in the decimation of landscapes, species, and entire cultures. Onyịnye's call to action urges us to move beyond passive observation and deconstruct these narratives. We must actively support organizations like the Sudanese American Physicians Association (SAPA) that empower displaced communities, dismantling the power structures that perpetuate suffering.

Join Onyịnye in making a difference. Donate to SAPA and help break the cycle of domination: