Moshekwa Langa, Poste Restante 2013, Found objects, Dimensions variable
On Saturday ten days ago, Moshekwa Langa wandered into the Goodman Gallery, Cape Town, at 12.15 p.m. an hour and a quarter after the advertised opening time of his new exhibition ‘Mogalakwena’, still looking a little sleepy. This was hardly surprising, since he and the gallery staff had been up till 5 a.m. that morning finishing the setup.
Reflected in the mirrorlike grey floor of the gallery was a classic Langa installation, entitled Poste Restante, (above) a map like spreading of lamps, tilted vinyl records, books, and of course, thread and wool winding through and linking everything together in a gentle and nostalgic patterning. Langa has dedicated this exhibition to his grandmother, a major influence in his life, Elizabeth Ramokone Konyana Langa, who died recently.
Artist Moshekwa Langa (right) with assistant Jano January
The wall behind Poste Restante was clad in elegiac silver, the surface enlivened by two bare branches, and further along the wall was another very recent (also completed the night before) Langa work – Mokwena meets Mujaji. There are few artists who can compete with Langa when it comes to collage – works which appear totally fresh and spontaneous nonetheless have an underpinning of expert control which continues over the entire picture area. Do not miss this exhibition.
Moshekwa Langa
Mokwena meets Mujaji 2013
Mixed media on paper
204 cm x 171.5 cm
Spotting Sophie Perryer and David Brodie, both of the Stevenson Gallery, in conversation at the recent opening of Serge Alain Nitegeka’s ‘Black Cargo’ in Cape Town, one might have been forgiven for wondering if grey T-shirts, black pants and sandals were the new Stevenson uniform.
Sophie Perryer and David Brodie
Nitegeka’s exhibition closes quite soon ... February 23 … so include this one on your next gallery hop. Nitegeka’s title, which harks back to slavery but also references the desperate migratory patterns forced on to Africans seeking work in a global economy, employs the simple, stark metaphor of a black painted crate in his powerful sculptures and wall paintings.
Serge Alain Nitegeka in front of Exterior II: Studio study
Today is Tuesday, February 19. Yesterday was the day the Department of Arts and Culture was supposed to announce the result of their call for a curatorial proposal for the next Venice Biennale. No news as yet. It’s a bit like waiting for the announcement of the new pope. Keep your eyes trained on Pretoria for smoke signals.
