Artists find home for work
Jozi exhibition a conversation piece
An art collector from Randburg has opened his home for artists to exhibit their works.
Titled Conversations Within, the exhibition opened on Saturday at the house in Blairgowrie. The house is situated on a corner, giving you a beautiful view of the suburb and its greenery.
Home owner and former maths teacher Muzi Mavuso says he opened his home to visual artists because he realised that they were hungry for a platform to exhibit their works.
“I normally hang around Maboneng, and I met many artists there. They are all complaining about one thing, which is space.
“I thought I could turn my house into an art house, not a gallery. I still live here but on weekends I open it to art lovers. The space is open to artists and art collectors who can showcase their artwork,” says Mavuso, who has an honours degree in applied mathematics from Wits University.
The exhibition is curated by Zama Phakathi and features works of artists like Happy Dhlame, Senzo Shabangu, Nompumelelo Tshabalala, Asanda Kupa and Lebogang Motaung.
Phakathi says Conversations Within explores the complexities around such issues as wanting to belong, issues of identity and navigating everyday situations as an individual who is also part of a collective.
“This exhibition seeks to remind the viewer that all conversations start within, but through the work of artists, these conversations become explicit,” he says.
“The viewer is encouraged to reflect upon their own anxieties, questions, understanding and acceptance of identity and belonging.”
The exhibition uses the familiar to create a narrative around conversations within, while exposing that which is often not verbalised.
As you enter the art house, you are struck by Motaung’s human hair portraits, which question identity.
A hairstylist herself, she seems to be fascinated by the patterns, colour and texture of black women’s hair.
Dhlame is known for his exploration of the inhabitants of spaces, especially within the city. One of the highlights of the exhibition is his huge piece, where he captures daily life in Joburg.
“Take Nompumelelo, she explores the issue of lobola, while Asanda’s [artwork] investigates the need to belong. Azael [Langa] and Senzo converse and act as mediators to public discourse,” Phakathi says.
She adds: “Conversations Within is about bringing to light the conversations we have with ourselves and highlights the complexities about voicing a need to belong to a community, despite the ills that come with that.”
The exhibition runs until next month.