Eye catching abstract art on exhibition at Aspire Art in Parkwood

By Edward Tsumele

Visual artist Pebofatso Mokoena’s art practice is based on the idea of space and how space interacts with us human beings, such as the exploration of the planets.

“But space could also refer to an idea of what that means when people for example move from one place to another, such as when they say I am going home from the city during holidays,” Mokoena said.

 I spoke to him recently at Aspire Art’s new spacious space in Parkwood, Johannesburg in its new premises, where  he is co-exhibiting with another artist Frederick Clarke  in rare circumstances whereby the primary market is meeting with the secondary market. Aspire Art, which moved its previous offices in Illovo to its current address late last year, focuses on the secondary market, auctioning contemporary art from Africa to a global market of collectors..

But in the case of this exhibition, Aspire Art has collaborated with Studio Nxumalo, a mobile gallery concept owned by well known photographer-turned curator Musa Nxumalo. The gallery does not own physical premises, but is mobile, participating in art fairs as well as coming up with curatorial concepts and exhibitions that it puts up in collaboration with other players in the industry, such as Aspire Art in the case of the current exhibition.

Mokoena, who studied for a diploma in fine art at the University of Johannesburg, before proceeding to Wits where he graduated with distinctions with a BA degree with honours  in fine art, is co-hosting with Frederick Clarke. Mokoena’s art works  and so are those of Clarke, in display in this exhibition are abstract pieces that are sure to attract attention to his career by collectors interested in abstract art.

Mokoena, speaking to CITYLIFE/ARTS said that this collaboration between Studio Nxumalo and Aspire Art   is quite crucial to expose especially young artists like him to the secondary market.

This exhibition titled WAV – an exhibition of abstract inscriptions and compositions, harmonised by Mokoena and Clarke. Mokoena invites viewers on an intimate and spectral journey that explores their artistic  influences, combining elements of synaesthesia, mathematics, mark-making and nature to name a  few.

The exhibition opened at Aspire Art’s Johannesburg gallery space in Parkwood on Wednesday, 23 March, followed by an artists’ walkabout  on Saturday, 26 March, and a panel discussion moderated by artist Thenjiwe Nkosi on Saturday, 2 April 2022.

“Since our inception, Aspire Art has been committed to positively contributing to the arts ecosystem through partnerships and programmes such as our Artist’s Resale Rights initiative,” says Kholisa Thomas, Client Advisory at Aspire Art. “We’re pleased to partner with Studio Nxumalo on this important exhibition, which kick-starts a lively calendar of events for Aspire Art in 2022. Our existing auctions programme will be complemented by a series of curated exhibitions, featuring top-quality work by a combination of newer and established artists.” 

.WAV – an exhibition of abstract inscriptions and compositions, is currently running till April 14, 2022 at  Aspire Art – 32 Bolton Road, Parkwood, Johannesburg, 2193.