Visual artist Phumulani Ntuli uses the archive to weave together narratives that speak to the current situation in South Africa
His fourth solo exhibition Umfanekiso UyophaInkungu (An Image Oozes Mist) is on at UJ Art Gallery 12 October – 15 November 2024.
By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor
Soweto born visual artist Phumulani Ntuli is fascinated with the archive, be it newspapers, family photographs or any other medium. He uses these archival materials to create equally fascinating if not curious collages that speak to history whether family related or collective national history. This is a visual language that appears to be developing solidly in his art practice, using these materials to create a cohesive narrative about South Africa and its fragmented history and equ7ally fragmented memory and loss of that memory.
However in his current exhibition that is on at the UJ Art Gallery in Johannesburg, he has added another layer to his already complex story telling fashion by roping in the toll of artificial intelligence in creating a body of work that still talks to the idea of the importance of the archive in constructing history and re reconstructing fading memories either of the personal nature or national nature that risk being lost in a fast paced world in which new technology dominates our lives –and not always for our benefit, even though it has its benefits to society if used for the public good and social advancement.
The recent opening of his solo exhibition at UJ gallery, his alma Mater, saw visitors witnessing the steady consolidation of Ntuli’s practice of using the archive as a form of weaving complex narratives about the current times where South Africa is at and employing or engaging artificial intelligence in this body of work created a curious if not another layer to his work. This is Ntuli’s fourth Solo Exhibition,UmfanekisoUyophaInkungu (An Image Oozes Mist), coming to UJ Art Gallery.
“The University of Johannesburg Art Gallery, proudly present UmfanekisoUyophaInkungu (An Image Oozes Mist) by Phumulani Ntuli. Set to open at the UJ Art Gallery on 12 October 2024, the exhibition will run until 15 November 2024.”
This solo exhibition presents a compelling collection of Ntuli’s most recent large-scale mixed-media collages on canvas, a series of works on paper from 2023 created in collaboration with Kim-Lee Loggenberg at the David Krut Workshop, and his latest stop-motion animation video. His multifaceted approach which extends from developing a unique mixed-media collage style to utilizing a traditional, manually operated etching press, and exploring the digital realm of artificial intelligence, reflects his versatile artistic expression.
The artist’s work reconfigures archival images of significant social, political, and cultural events and figures in South African history, raising critical questions about the nature of archives and the politics of image-making and consumption. Through techniques of fragmentation and reconfiguration, Ntuli highlights the impact of decontextualising images, creating pauses in established narratives and inviting viewers to reconsider the stories these images tell.
“Ntuli is an exceptional artist who seamlessly bridges the gap between traditional art mediums and innovative digital expressions” says Dr Dineke Orton, UJ Art Gallery Curator.
Ntuli’s fascination with digital image-making technologies drives his exploration of both the visible (front end) and hidden (back end) aspects of digital images. While the front end is the final image we see, the back end consists of the often-unreadable code, creating a sense of mystery.
Inspired by open-source software, which shares coding frameworks with a community, Ntuli has explored how this concept could influence his art. This led him to develop 3D silicone rollers with patterns like parallel lines, waves, and dots, which he applied to his mixed-media collages. This method expands his artistic language beyond traditional collage techniques using found materials, reflecting his interest in the transparency of image-making processes.
In this exhibition, Ntuli, who represented South Africa at the 2022 Venice Biennale, collaborated with the University’s VR Space. The gallery is also currently hosting public events, including a walkabout with the artist and the launch of his first catalogue, “Fictional Geographies.” Co-edited with curator Sofía Steinvorth, the catalogue reflects on Ntuli’s exhibitions from 2021 to 2022 in South Africa, Italy, and Spain, offering diverse insights into his work through interviews and texts.