Umzabalo whose art practice amplifies the voice of the marginalised is back with another exhibition in Joburg CBD
Umzabalzo Vulume 3 exhibition, 28 )ctobere, 5pm to 8pm, 54 Houses of Africa, 32 Von Brandis Street, central Johannesburg. The exhibition features arts works by visual artists Fortune Dlamini, Mnaphi Terry, Neo Nkalo and Slovo Mamphaga.
By Edward Tsumele
The youth led art collective Umzabalazo, which has already previously mounted successful and impressive exhibitions with limited resources around Johannesburg CDB, independent of major galleries and without any funding from authorities, is back. This time they will be putting up their latest exhibition simply titled Umzabalazo Volume 3 at non conventional exhibition space cum restaurant 54 Houses of Africa, in central Johannesburg opening on October 28.
Umzabalazo has modeled itself with regards to their art practice as a representative of the marginalized in society, and their art narrative comprising mainly of painting and drawings, as well as installations, talks to that idea.
“The main objective in the art space is to be the voice of the voiceless, a disruption to the prevalent pompous nature of being, a constant reminder that we need to be independent in our thinking and doing. Reclaim everything that belongs to you. Be yourself with no inhibitions.,” the collective says in its curatorial statement.
The upcoming exhibition is the third in a series of these exhibitions that will showcase the works of the four members of this collective comprising Fortune Dlamini, Mnaphi Terry, Neo Nkalo and Slovo Mamphaga
“Umzabalazo a Nguni word meaning the struggle is a constant theme in all our lives, whether conscious or unconscious we struggle. Black communities all over the world seem to the face, heart, soul and very epitome of what struggle is. This exhibition speaks to that. Why are we still struggling? How can we stop it? Will it ever stop? It’s not just politics, it’s religion, spirituality, love, sex, money, power and so many micros to macro issues that make us a people. For Umzabalazo vol.3 we have decided to work with the greenhouse which for some time has existed within the inner-city dealing with urban farming, hence we invite the audience to bring a packets of vegetable seeds & also sanitary pads for young girls in need. They will be free safe and secure park. Entry fee is a donation of R20.
Umzabalazo Volume 3 is demonstration against social , mental and systematic ills .The collective’s effort to create a body of works based on communal struggles from different periods,” the collective adds.