Phumulani Ntuli’s fourth Solo Exhibition, Umfanekiso Uyopha Inkungu (An Image Oozes Mist), comes to UJ Art Gallery
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 is an exceptional artist who seamlessly bridges the gap between traditional art mediums and innovative digital expressions” says Dr Dineke Orton, UJ Art Gallery Curator.
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.
Ntuli, who represented South Africa at the 2022 Venice Biennale, will collaborate with the University’s VR Space in this exhibition. 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.
CLICK HERE TO RSVP FOR THE OPENING- https://forms.office.com/r/aHrqSfK5AQ
CLICK HERE TO RSVP FOR THE WALKABOUT & WORKSHOP-https://forms.office.com/r/ifyMi1asQT
About UJ Arts & Culture
UJ Arts & Culture, a division of the Faculty of Art, Design & Architecture (FADA) produces and presents world-class student and professional arts programmes aligned to the UJ vision of an international university of choice, anchored in Africa, dynamically shaping the future. A robust range of arts platforms are offered on all four UJ campuses for students, staff, alumni, and the general public to experience and engage with emerging and established Pan-African and international artists drawn from the full spectrum of the arts.
About UJ Art Gallery
Nestled at the heart of the University of Johannesburg’s Auckland Park Kingsway Campus, the UJ Art Gallery has been a dynamic platform for showcasing emerging and established artists for over three decades. With a mission centred on promoting artistic expression, fostering critical engagement with contemporary art, and nurturing Johannesburg’s arts ecosystem, the gallery’s permanent collection of over 2,000 diverse artworks reflects South African vibrancy. Through curated exhibitions, educational programs, and public events, the UJ Art Gallery cultivates a space for dialogue, reflection, and inspiration.
About UJ Art Gallery
Gallery hours: Mon–Fri: 09:00 – 16:00
Closed weekends and public holidays
Location: APK Campus, Corner of Kingsway Ave/University Rd, Auckland Park
Contact: 011 559 2556
Phumulani Ntuli
Phumulani Ntuli
Phumulani Ntuli