Kufanya kazi

This artwork by Lugra Ilunga depicts a group of men in Johannesburg, once teenage boys hustling for status, now grown adults navigating vastly different paths in life. Through their attire, posture, and surroundings, the piece highlights the diverse roles these men have assumed—some embodying success and ambition, others grappling with the struggles of urban survival.

Set against the backdrop of Johannesburg’s dynamic cityscape, the artwork explores how the relentless hustle of their youth has shaped their adult lives, for better or worse. Ilunga reflects on the transformative journey of masculinity in the urban context, where societal pressures, cultural expectations, and the pursuit of identity converge. The piece serves as a poignant commentary on the outcomes of ambition and resilience in a city that molds and defines its inhabitants.