ReCurate | Little Sparks of Peace

Following her recent selection as the 2025 ANNA Award winner, Naledi Maifala’s solo show marks a significant milestone in her flourishing career, offering a comprehensive look at the themes of serenity, memory, and profound gratitude that define her current practice.

"Little Sparks of Peace" is a deeply personal and evocative body of work that reflects moments of stillness, belonging, and memory drawn from Naledi Maifala's family life in the village. The paintings serve as "stimulants of peace", illustrating how moments of calm are not distant or abstract but found intimately within the essential rhythms of everyday life.

The collection captures a vibrant yet tranquil life through several key themes. It highlights “family togetherness” through scenes of relaxing together at the farm, with sunsets and warm conversations. It also celebrates abundance and sustenance, depicted through the warmth of a fire with breakfast, the sight of freely moving livestock, and the honest illustration of shared meals.
There is a distinct focus on the play of light, particularly the way it falls on flowers during the artist’s favorite time of day - sunset. This is juxtaposed alongside the nostalgic presence of antique objects, weathered tables, and rustic metal found in her village home, grounding the abstract feeling of peace in tangible, cherished objects.

Maifala summarizes her intent by noting:

"Through these paintings, I seek to show how peace is not distant or abstract, but found in the rhythms of everyday life—family togetherness, food and fire, animals and land, memory and light."

"Little Sparks of Peace" is driven by a powerful sense of urgency to be present and intentional. Her artistic practice serves as a deep reflection on the fragility of life and the immense value of cherishing every moment. This intentionality extends to her appreciation for materials and objects. Maifala is deeply inspired by “the value of old things”, noting that she is drawn to "old objects... that carry stories within them; they hold sentimental memories and grow in value as time passes." This reverence for history and memory infuses her paintings with warmth and depth.

This show runs from 12th February - 12th March 2026.