A42 House's inaugural, co-created exhibition, inviting young people in Johannesburg to define, explore and reclaim what home and belonging mean in a place shaped by displacement, segregation, and layered histories. Set within A42 House in Parktown North, the exhibition transforms a domestic space into a site of listening, healing, repair and imagination.
We asked our community to contribute objects and stories that answer the question — "what makes you grounded?". You did not disappoint. Here is a selection of your stories. Visit our exhibition to witness more.
Ayandamacirha, 28 · Johannesburg
A bentwood rocking chair as symbol of ancestral migration — paired with a nephew's paper plane representing dreams amid inherited struggle.
Emeka Ntone Edjabe, 27 · Orange Grove
A family heirloom brought back from a trip to Cameroon, symbolizing love and care passed across generations.
Neo Diseko, 29 · Soweto
A Victorian dining chair connected to childhood memories and family gatherings at grandparents' home.
Vuxie Nxele · Johannesburg
The device as extended self — providing connection, comfort, and personalized access to worlds during loneliness or anxiety.
Fortunate Ncube · Johannesburg
A late mother's coffee mug providing daily connection and comfort through familiar warmth and scent.
What makes you grounded?
"Grounded" — A42 House, Johannesburg · 15 Jan – 31 Jul 2026
