The University of Johannesburg Art Gallery, proudly present Umfanekiso Uyopha Inkungu (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’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, will collaborate with the University’s VR Space. The gallery will also host 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.
Date: Saturday, 12 October 2024
Time: 10:00 for 10:30
Venue: UJ Art Gallery
UJ Auckland Park Kingsway Campus
