The group exhibition at The Melrose Gallery is a celebration of contemporary African Art
By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor
To some people this is the time to wind down, relax with family and friends or to visit that one place you have wanted to visit for sometime, but could not do so due to your busy schedule during the year.
However, for some, it is also time to visit art galleries and shop for good art either for investment purposes, or to make your home look good with the finest in contemporary art from Africa on the walls that your friends and visitors can view and feel good about.
And when I heard that there was a walk-about at The Melrose Gallery where a group exhibition is currently on, last week Saturday, I found myself among a group of art enthusiasts and collectors who were taken on an interesting tour of the exhibition by newly appointed curator MpumiMayise. Mpumi has just taken over from the previous curator Ruzy Rusike, who gallery director Craig Mark told me recently during the opening of Esther Mahlangu’s retrospective exhibition at at Wits Art Museum, that eventually the young curator has been offered a space to study at the prestigious and highly rated UK art institution Goldsmith. Her departure, therefore has opened a space for a new curator, Mpumi, who is now in charge of curating exhibitions at The Melrose Gallery.
It was my first time to meet Mpumi, but from her walk about and how she handled it on Saturday, she certainly has the right energy and aptitude to hold such a position at this famous gallery in the north of Johannesburg.
The curator meticulously took the audience through each of the art works on the wall -with the exception of one -Ayanda Mabulu’s two-pieces about the late Wiinnie Mandela, a multi-media collage. Mpumi for some reason, made an effort to avoid talking about this beautiful, though somehow controversial installation on the wall. Could it be because of the evocation of violence as represented by tow images of an AK 47?
Be that as it may, the rest of the exhibition was everything, but controversial. In fact, the rest of the works got the audience worked up as Mpumi expertly explained the curatorial choices she made, and the fact that she is a lover of collages and bright colours personally. In short, this exhibition which features artists that are signed to the gallery from South Africa and the rest of the continent, has the feeling of being a Pan African showcase of everything that is beautiful about this continent of Africa. As the gallery states this exhibition that the gallery chose not to give a title is indeed “a Celebration of Contemporary African Art.”
“The Melrose Gallery proudly presents its Stable Show, a celebration of ten visionary contemporary African artists whose works span generations and diverse artistic styles. The exhibition features the works of Marcel Tchopwe, PapytshoMafolo, Aza Mansongi, SinaloNgcaba, Hussein Salim, Lefifi Tladi, Ilana Seati, Samson Mnisi, Usen Obot and the globally revered Dr. Esther Mahlangu.
Collage is a technique and metaphor at the heart of the curatorial framework. The artists reflect on identity, history, and transformation through layered compositions, bold colours, and overlapping narratives. The works invite viewers into a space of possibility, where layering and reassembly become a pathway toward healing and reimagining lived realities.
Central to this exploration is the cosmic and sacred language embodied in the works of Dr. Esther Mahlangu and Usen Obot. Mahlangu’s meticulously painted Ndebele motifs resonate with an ancestral spirituality, serving as bridges between the past and future, while Obot’s layered pieces evoke celestial realms and universal connections. Together, their works infuse the exhibition with a profound sense of interconnectedness and reverence for the unseen.
The Melrose Gallery invites all art enthusiasts to experience this captivating exhibition in person at The Melrose Gallery.”
About the artists
· Marcel Tchopwe (Cameroon): Known for his vibrant aesthetics and social commentary, Tchopwe explores themes of childhood, education, and societal expectations.
Laura’s oeuvre invites us to reimagine Afro-Colombian history through virtual archives and netnography, and the approach the artists takes is to merges digital media with ritualistic and anthropological research, connecting us to a heritage rooted in nature, history, and transformation.
· PapytshoMafolo (Democratic Republic of Congo): Mafolo’s work delves into cultural identity and colonialism’s impacts, using hybrid figures, collage, and gold leaf.
· Aza Mansongi (Democratic Republic of Congo): Mansongi’s Afro-pop aesthetic combines classical realism with abstract elements to address themes of identity, community, and resilience.
· SinaloNgcaba (South Africa): A self-taught artist from Johannesburg, Ngcaba’s bold patterns and vibrant colours reflect black popular culture and social issues.
· Hussein Salim (Sudan): Salim’s richly textured abstracts and vibrant colours convey themes of displacement, memory, and cultural heritage.
· Lefifi Tladi (South Africa): Tladi’s calligraphy-inspired paintings and jazz and poetry performances celebrate liberation, cultural memory, and spirituality.
· Ilana Seati (South Africa): Seati’s figurative and semi-abstract works explore the interplay between reality and fantasy and human perception.
· Dr Esther Mahlangu (South Africa): Renowned for her geometric artwork and traditional Ndebele wall painting, Mahlangu’s work preserves and celebrates Ndebele’s cultural heritage.
· Samson Mnisi (South Africa): Celebrated for its vibrant use of colour, symmetry, and organic shapes, often reflecting a deep connection to both physical and spiritual realms. Sadly, Mnisi passed away in October 2022, leaving behind a legacy of profound artistic contributions.
· Usen Obot (Nigeria): Celebrated for his impactful works in painting, sculpture, and installation. His art address’s themes like social justice, gender roles, and the human condition.
Exhibition details
Exhibition Dates: December 2024 – January 2025
Location: The Melrose Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa