Phillemon Hlungwani
2020
Working in charcoal, the art of South African artist Phillemon Hlungwani is a delight.
Often depicting scenes from formal and informal settlements as well nuances of rural life, Hlungwani creates bold artworks reflective of community and reminiscent of traditional values and accepted pearls of wisdom such as “Ubuntu” and the “motho ke motho ka batho” (a person is built up by people in their community).
In the selected works, Hlungwani’s expressive use of colour and mastering of figures in motion gives one the sensation of celebration, joy, and happiness.
Focusing on the Tsonga traditional attire and cultural practices, Hlungwani brings his own heritage and aesthetics into to forefront, depicting various layers and textures and fabrics of the Tsonga aesthetic in an eloquent manner.
The women are happy, elated, and blissful, they are dancing, shaking their shebelane, moving in sequence, and just being, suggestive of the simple joys of life away from the busty, smokey, and often cold nuances of the city.
More from the artists will be explored and shared
