SA artists get behind Banele Khoza’s vision to help young creative artists in new Absa Gallery showcase

The Absa Gallery will round off a successful year with a multifaceted exhibition rooted in one of the most pressing challenges facing South Africa today – the support and empowerment of young creative artists. Titled, A letter to my 22-year-old self, the exhibition speaks to the moving personal story of Absa L’Atelier award winner, Banele Khoza and his struggle to find his way as a young artist and financially support himself through his passion.

A letter to my 22-year-old self is a group exhibition, curated by Khoza and features the works of 34 artists who want to help him raise awareness of the difficulties South Africa’s emerging artists encounter. The exhibition features both these artists’ works as well as letters to their own 22-year-old selves offering advice for the sometimes difficult journey that lies ahead.

“I remember it so clearly, it was 2011 and I had no money, there were days when I would go to sleep hungry and wake up hungry and go to school famished. That was if I could even afford the taxi fare. Because of my circumstance, I couldn’t concentrate on my school work. But I was ashamed of my situation and afraid to ask for help, so I didn’t tell anyone. As a result, I failed my first year,” Khoza said.

Khoza said the exhibition is a response to the cry for help from young creatives who find themselves alone in their hour of need – not having basics like food, transportation and school fees, or essentials like art material that separate a pass from a fail in the schooling system.

The exhibition is also expected to raise funds for students who find themselves in these challenging situations – the works have been donated by the featured artists to be sold with proceeds put towards Khoza’s NGO, BKhz Foundation. The foundation seeks to develop scholarships for creative students in need as well as assist art students at university with registration fees, transportation costs and art materials.

“It was only years later that I realised the full impact of my situation as a student and the devastating effect it could have had on my career. I want to help where I can, to make it easier for future creatives to overcome these challenges. I believe if you see a need somewhere, you should take it upon yourself to change that situation. Waiting on somebody else to make that change is the wrong approach. Hopefully, this exhibition and the foundation will go some way to addressing this challenge among our young artists in South Africa.”

From these humble beginnings, Khoza went on to win the prestigious Gerard Sekoto Award for the most promising South African artist in the highly acclaimed Absa L’Atelier awards in 2017.

Dr Paul Bayliss, Absa art and museum curator, said Khoza’s upcoming exhibition as well as his new foundation, point to the true power of the Absa L’Atelier awards in helping young artists. “Absa L’Atelier is so much more than just an awards programme.

“These young artists are exposed to art residencies, personal mentorship and even business management, demonstrating how to turn their talents into thriving businesses. Banele was a most deserving winner of the award, but more than that, he has used the opportunities presented to him to not only further his own career but uplift those alongside him at the same time.

“This is the physical manifestation of the true spirit of Absa L’Atelier, and we are proud to host Banele at the Absa Gallery as he brings his vision to life.”

A letter to my 22-year-old self opens at the Absa Gallery on Sunday, 11 November and runs until 25 January next year.