About me

Tanlume Enyatseng is a writer, creative director and cultural producer working in Southern Africa. A passionate advocate for creative intellect and culture, he is the Founder and Director of multidisciplinary platform and creative studio Banana Emoji and is currently communications manager at Pan-African artist residency, LAPA. Tanlume also founded and contributes to the queer artistic collective, Banana Club and has recently been awarded Photoworks UK’s 2023 Writer in Residence. With a background rooted in journalism and contemporary art, Tanlume’s artistic approach is at the intersection of art and the intimate emotional nuances of community. His visual art and writing has appeared in several publications and exhibitions, both in the African region and internationally. This includes but is not limited to Goethe Institute Johannesburg, MTN Bushfire, British Council of Arts, We Transfer, AfroPunk, Bubblegum Club, Mail & Guardian and Nataal Media. “I believe my purpose is to curate and direct mixed media art, which seeks to provoke emotive action through authentic storytelling”

QuestionsProjectsExperienceTeam

• Hello ✨ looking for a web designer & developer to help bring to life the aesthetic and vision of creative studio operating in Africa.
• Good Morning! ☀️ Looking for a collage artist for a collaborative piece. Hit me up if keen and let’s make magic!
• Looking for illustrators for a cultural exchange project , where we team illustrators with DJs globally to create themed monthly mixes

Projects

• 3

  Mpho Sebina MTN Bushire Virtual ConcertI creative directed a virtual concert for the greatest musicians of our time. A glimpse into a pink dream fantasy with Mpho Sebina for MTN Bushfire Watch full experience on YouTube: https://youtu.be/l3sqn_vd5wk
• 4

  Bonfire of VanitiesA short essay and editorial for Guap Magazine. Please see the link attached here: https://guap.co.uk/bonfire-of-vanities-by-tanlume-enyatseng/
• Botswana's Artivists for Nataal MediaFor Nataal, I wrote about the young artists in Botswana, using their platforms to challenge stereotypical and harmful narratives. An editorial Id like to call "Belles Du Jour". For the creative I imagine a world where we woke up and adults did not exist, so youth had reign to dress like they want and do as they please. A modern day Lord of The Flies minus the murder, taking styling inspiration from my favorite childhood shows like Rug Rats and Hey Arnold. Creative Direction, styling & words by
• 5

  BANANA CLUB 05.12.2020In collaboration with European Union in Botswana, I facilitated the last BANANA CLUB dialogue of the year, under the theme “Trans & Gender Diverse Visibility”. Flyer by Olivia Macioti
• 4

  BANANA CLUB 19.09.2020BANANA CLUB is a quarterly safe space session held to discuss key issues affecting the queer youth of Botswana. On the 19th September I facilitated a conversation around, "Parenting, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation." Collaborated with Visual Artist Aina Fontich on creating the flyer and a collage following the engagement
• 9

  EDITORIAL: MASKED BEAUTYA short text on make up and masculinity titled “Masked Beauty” , written by me accompanied by photography by Giancarlo Calameo Laguerta and creative directed by myself. Full story: https://bananaemoji.com/

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Projects credited in

• 2

  Album Cover for DJ J Van Hell & BananaMixIllustrated album cover made in collaboration with Paris based DJ J Van Hell and Botswana based writer, creative director and LGBTQI+ activist Tanlume Enyatseng for bananaemoji.com

Work history

Writer in ResidencePhotoworks Ltd
Feb 2023London, United KingdomPart Time
Part of the 2023 Graduates Selection Jury and current Writer in Residence.
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Senior Public Relations ConsultantHotwire
Jul 2017Gaborone, BotswanaFull Time
Job entails creating content for leading local retail brands including Stanbic Bank Botswana and Wilderness Safaris. Managing all media relations and providing creative strategic interventions to support brand campaigns.

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Skills

• Creative Writing
• Creative Direction
• Facilitating Workshops

Education

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Degree in Journalisms and Media StudiesLimkokwing University of Creative Technology
Jun 2015Botswana