Discussing Blessing Ngobeni’s A note from Error
ROSEBANK – A panel discussion was held at the Everard Read gallery to shed some light on artist Blessing Ngobeni's latest offerings.
The home of art, Rosebank, was very accommodating to groups of art lovers who came to take part in a panel discussion on Artist, Blessing Ngobeni’s work. His work titled A note from Error is inspired by social injustices from post-apartheid South Africa and was brought under scrutiny in a discussion moderated by the curator, artist and educator, Thembinkosi Goniwe at the Everard Read Circa Gallery.
Goniwe said the artworks on show included collage-paintings, free-standing and wall sculptures, video animations and a sound installation.
“We identify artists with not only what they do but how they do it in terms of language interpretation. So Ngobeni’s work seems to focus on the collapse of the political structure, media texts processing and his contribution to the world of ideas, culture and humanity.”
Multimedia artist Teresa Firmino said that while she worked with Ngobeni in the studio, he set up landscapes and characters in his work. “Within the paintings themselves, there was research done in terms of the politics behind the work, including the colours. Within his work, he started to study more and as a young artist he would reflect on his previous works in order to develop new ways of thinking.”
She said that Ngobeni’s work reminded her of the characters of Alice in Wonderland as they were scary and violent.
South African inter-media artist and director, Rodney Place said he found the sculptures and paintings disappointing as they were not believable both to the artist and the viewer.
Meanwhile, art critic Athi Mongezeleli Joja said the ethical position that Ngobeni offers in his work is content and form thus he worked towards making language have content and form.
The artist himself, Blessing Ngobeni, closed off the discussion by sharing that he loves to listen to his traditional Shangaan music and jazz which inspire the background sound to his video animations.
“My recent presentation deals with the human body; especially the black body which has suffered in previous times and now. At the same time, it visually looks at how we can love ourselves without hating the other.”
He said it was up to the audience to visualise what the bodies or sculptures were carrying. Ngobeni said, “The chains show that we are forever in shackles in a way. However, at the same time, we can be united and be in one chain even through hardships.”
Details: Everard Read Gallery www.everard-read.co.za
Have you seen Blessing Ngobeni’s recent artwork? If yes, then please email your review of the work to naidines@caxton.co.za
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