Statement, Secession, Vienna 2024

'' The architectural intervention in the Dome of Secession and the performance I did under it is a selfreflection on blackness, the black body, black women, black artists and representation. The intervention into the architecture of the dome is the first in many years, its radically altered the Secession’s appearance for one week in honor of Black women. Inspired by the Bantu knots, a traditional hairstyle originated by the Zulu in South Africa that is over a century old, Delahante Matienzo’s project transformed the golden dome into a black one: Bantu knots adorned the dome’s ca. 2,500 leaves. The artist delved into the subject of natural hair and the oppressive beauty ideals that Black women contend with in a number of works.''

Bettina Spörr, curator of the exhibition.