WORDS Jabulile Dlamini-Qwesha
Artist. Neoteric. Explorer. Siwa Mgoboza’s textile collages blend history, fashion, identity politics and photography.
Portrait of Siwa Mgoboza. Image credit: Gerda Genis. Courtesy of Semaphore Gallery.
Having lived as both a local and an immigrant, as a South African who grew up in Europe and South America, artist Siwa Mgoboza has been exposed to a broad range of influences. He uses a variety of mediums and explores global themes from an African perspective to create works that reflect his reality.
Mira, Mira (Look, Look). 2017. Isishweshwe (Three Cats Cotton), tulle, mirrors, cotton thread, plywood and pine wood. Courtesy of the artist.
As regards the future of local design, Siwa places importance on reconsidering traditional ways of making modern local goods to ensure a higher consumption by Africans first. “Essentially, forward and upward movement for creatives of colour, and building a stronger black economy.”
Portrait of Siwa Mgoboza. Image credit: Gerda Genis.
Siwa’s work will form part of the Aspire Art’s Winter 19 auction, to be held at the Gordon Institute of Business Science, 26 Melville Road, Illovo, Johannesburg, on Sunday 2 June 2019. Proceeds from the sale of Siwa’s work will be given to the Siyakhula Michaelis bursary fund. His work will also form part of the FIL(A)MANT exhibition at the Fondation Blachère art centre in France from 23 May until 5 October 2019.
Keep up to date with Siwa Mgoboza on Instagram.
