CROSSING BOUNDARIES
Last year Swaziland-born artist Banele Khoza won the prestigious Gerard Sekoto Award at the Absa Art Gallery and with it a three-month residency in Paris. This year the Pretoria-based artist has a solo show on at Zeitz MOCAA, with upcoming shows in Hamburg and Paris, and is on the verge of opening a second studio space, in Braamfontein. He took time out of his schedule to chat to us about his work, tackling gender norms and creating his own identity.
Did you always know you were going to be an artist?
I started drawing when I was about four or five, and still living in Swaziland. I was curious about playing with Barbie dolls, but my parents refused to buy them for me, as they were not meant for boys. I started drawing them on paper and realised I could create my own world. Going forward, I started exhibiting in my second year of university and haven’t stopped since.
How has your work evolved since you first started out?
I started out working on small-scale works, as I wasn’t confident enough to explore big surfaces. Also, my work has always been around personal thoughts, and the intimate scale allowed a sense of privacy. Now, the lines have been blurred between what is private and public and I am more comfortable with larger works.
Having been raised in Swaziland, has South Africa had an impact on your work as an artist?
Absolutely. There is more freedom of speech and expression in South Africa than I had while in Swaziland. Also, being far from my parents has helped [laughs], as it means I can be myself all day without being apologetic. Swaziland was quite conservative while I was growing up. Now, especially after being in Paris, I have realised how we avoid affection at home. Seeing so much open affection has changed my perception regarding human relations.
You create art both digitally and using traditional media. Can you tell us a little about this?
I love both. Without my traditional media skills, my digital works would lack quality. I am part of the generation with low concentration levels, so I jump around and play with all the mediums in one day. Otherwise I would be discouraged to create.
Seeing so much open affection has changed my perception regarding human relations
On that note, any new mediums you‘d like to experiment with?
While on my residency in Paris, I realised that my cellphone camera and social media channels are powerful tools. I am able to gather information and share my perspective easily with the people who follow me. So I’d like to experiment more with photography and digital media. It is instant and playful.