Phumulani Ntuli

Phumulani Ntuli (b. 1986, Soweto) is an acclaimed multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans artistic research, sculpture, video installations, and performative practices. His work critically engages with notions of archives, surveillance, and historical narratives, striving to illuminate history's gaps, silences, and remnants. Ntuli holds a Masters in Fine Arts - Art Public Sphere from ECAV in Switzerland, where he was awarded the Prix-excellence for his ongoing research project Permutations of an Event

Ntuli's artistic process is characterized by a convergence of documentation, image, and visual engagement, creating spaces that challenge viewers to reconsider historical and contemporary narratives. He consistently engages diverse audiences, drawing connections between personal heritage and broader sociopolitical issues, particularly within the context of decoloniality.

His career includes notable exhibitions and performances, such as the 2016 Kampala Biennale in Uganda curated by Elise Atangana, the Bone Performance Festival in Bern, Switzerland, and the Act Festival in Geneva, Basel, Sierra, and Zurich. Ntuli has also participated in residencies at the Fondazione Pisteletto in Italy and the Alps Art Academy in Switzerland.

In his own words, Ntuli explores the collision between reality and fantasy, using this intersection to investigate memory and its fragmented, unreliable nature. His recent solo work, "Kunanela iphuzu emafini / Echoes of the Point Cloud," debuted at the FNB Art Joburg Fair in 2023, incorporating mixed media collages and unique works on paper. The project delves into South African motion picture history, merging it with contemporary data and artificial intelligence to re-contextualize past narratives within a changing socio-political landscape.

Ntuli's practice often employs collage techniques, both digital and manual, to create 'pseudo-reality' that challenges preconceptions and invites alternative perspectives. His work, deeply rooted in his South African experience, is both personal and powerfully political, aiming to observe, analyze, reflect, and bring people together.

Image credit: Sublime Photography and Design