What happens when we spend more time with a work of art? What do we notice when we slow down, look closely, and allow ourselves to linger?

Inspired by SALA, Zeitz MOCAA’s permanent collection exhibition, this participatory workshop invites visitors to experience art through the practice of close looking.

Beginning with a guided walkthrough led by members of the curatorial team, participants will be introduced to the exhibition’s central ideas before taking part in a reflective creative exercise.

Drawing on scholar Tina Campt’s invitation to “write to the artwork”, participants will create their own “triangulation” by connecting two artworks with a third point of reference – a song, film, memory, place, personal experience, or another artwork. The exercise encourages visitors to make unexpected connections and discover new ways of seeing.

The session concludes with an informal group discussion exploring some of the questions at the heart of SALA: Who is the museum for? How do museums shape the way we see ourselves and others? What new possibilities emerge when we approach art with curiosity, imagination and care?

Rather than offering fixed interpretations, Staying with SALA creates space for conversation, reflection and shared discovery. Whether you’re a first-time museum visitor or a regular gallery-goer, this workshop invites you to slow down, trust your own observations, and experience art in a deeper and more personal way.