Khumalo explores concept of identity
Exhibition driven by traumatic past
In his The Monkey on My Shoulder exhibition, Smangaliso Khumalo tackles the problematic issue of identity and belonging.
With a series of striking images and videos, and even more intriguing backdrops, he unpacks when one is “... not quite black enough and not quite masculine enough”.
Khumalo, 39, says the artworks explore his traumatic past and present by inserting himself, a Zulu man not quite black enough and not quite masculine enough, in public sites that were previous bastions of colonialism.
He is seen posing in different guises at the Francis Farewell Square adjoining the Durban City Hall and the Natural Science Museum within. He is also snapped in the bush at the Cradle of Humankind in Krugersdorp.
In the video, he’s seen preparing for the exhibition by covering his face and naked body in graphite powder and putting on traditional Zulu accessories fundamental to his identity.
His shoulders are covered in a cloth used by sangoma initiates. His loins are covered by an apron of cattle tails called Ibheshu.
“I’m hoping that people will be able to engage with the work and really appreciate the concept behind the exhibition,” says Smangaliso, adding that he would like to open up a dialogue pertaining to the issue around race and stuff.
“The genesis of the work started when I questioned my identity. My grandfather used to call me ‘hey boesman!’
“Growing up on the dusty streets of Claremont, I was seen as an effeminate Zulu man, not masculine enough and not black enough.
“I was caught up in limbo, questioning whether am I black or this strange exotic thing looked down upon by my very own people. I had to address those impositions thrown at me.” The Monkey on My Shoulder exhibition starts tomorrow at Zap-Style Start-Up in Tongaat, KwaZulu-Natal, from 6pm. It runs until December 2