Origin Art | Voices of Strength

Curatorial Statement for "Voices of Strength"

In the exhibition "Voices of Strength," we bring together the powerful and diverse works of eight exceptional women artists, each exploring the multifaceted nature of femininity through their unique artistic practices. This exhibition celebrates the resilience, empowerment, and beauty of women, presenting a tapestry of narratives that are both personal and universal.

• Busiswa Mazwana captures the delicate and soft aspects of life through her photography, using light and colour to create dreamy, imaginative scenes. Her work emphasizes the gentle strength found in femininity, celebrating the vibrant and diverse experiences of being a woman. Mazwana’s photographs invite viewers to see the world through a lens of gentleness and creativity, connecting with them on an emotional level and encouraging an appreciation for the delicate beauty in their own lives.
• Buqaqawuli Nobakada uses mixed media to deconstruct the historically sexualized connotations of lace, reclaiming it as a symbol of hyper-femininity that embodies strength rather than objectification. Her works challenge viewers to look beyond the fabric and see the stories of ambition, power, and the reclamation of identity. Nobakada’s art is a testament to the complex beauty and multidimensionality of Black womanhood, standing in defiance of restrictive societal labels.
• Chuma Adam navigates themes of visibility and self-actualization in the realms of her Black identity through painting, textiles, and drawing. Informed by Édouard Glissant’s theory on opacity, Adam’s works explore the intangible complexities of navigating one’s self. Her immersive visual language creates feelings of abstruse vulnerability, challenging the viewer to engage with the profound depths of her artistic expression.
• Michelle Viljoen bridges the tangible and intangible through her documentary and street photography, transforming these captured moments into abstract expressions on canvas. Her paintings reflect the emotional landscapes she encounters, visualizing the beauty and fragility of the human condition. Viljoen’s work is a quest for connection, evoking a sense of shared experience and transporting viewers to a place of introspection and emotional resonance.
• Siphokazi Mlangeni examines themes relating to virginity and female sexuality through her ceramics, reflecting on the practice of virginity testing. Her vases and clay vulvas incorporate skin textures and visual elements that question the validity and invasiveness of such practices. Mlangeni’s work is a powerful commentary on self-reflection and the perception of sexuality from a woman’s perspective, inviting viewers to engage with the discomfort and introspection her pieces evoke.
• Tarien Engelbrecht explores nostalgic memories through glitch painting techniques, creating a sense of familiarity and comfort for the viewer. Her work embodies distorted screen memories, reconstructing idealized pasts to create a space of safety and predictability. Engelbrecht’s paintings inspire reflection and introspection, asking viewers to consider the role of memory in shaping their identity and resilience.

Through "Voices of Strength," we celebrate the diverse expressions of women’s strength, resilience, and beauty. Each artist contributes a unique voice to the conversation, creating a powerful collective statement on the complexities of the feminine experience. This exhibition is a tribute to the vibrant and dynamic narratives that define womanhood, inviting viewers to connect, reflect, and be inspired.

This show runs from the 1st - 30th of August 2024.