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.

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Art Meets Camera presents a solo show entitled Ndiyayekelela by South African artist Nobukho Nqaba at the Also Known As Africa (AKAA) Art Fair in Paris.

The AKAA Art Fair is the first contemporary African art fair to take place in Paris and sees the unveiling of Nqaba’s latest body of work following her successful series Umaskhenkethe. Her latest series Ndiyayekelela meaning letting go explores her struggle with coming to terms with her father’s passing.

The series of work features photographs that bring to life the coupling of Nqaba’s strong physical presence and various symbolic materials that recall and narrate parts of her past. The striking images explore feelings of anger, confusion, guilt and satisfaction. As an extension to her new work, Nqaba will also be performing in a collaborative performance piece, called Sohabini, meaning both of us, with fellow South African artist Siwa Mgoboza. The performance explores evolving African narratives, visions and voices. It will be taking place at the Carreau du Temple in Paris on 12 November at 1pm.

Nobukho is a Michaelis School of Fine Art graduate as well as a 2012 Tierney Fellowship recipient. She has exhibited at numerous international exhibitions including Photo Lagos and Duro Olowu’s Making and Unmaking exhibition at Camden Arts Centre in London.

For more information, visit her website.

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