Remembering Lunga Ntila
The artist Lunga Ntila has passed away at the age of 27. Born in 1995 in Johannesburg, she was the daughter of diplomats and grew up between South Africa, Germany, Benin and the Netherlands. A self-taught artist, her compositions – many of them self-portraits – make use of photography, collage, and digital manipulation to touch on themes of identity, displacement, fragmentation and memory. Her debut solo premiered at BKhz Gallery in 2019, and her first book, Ukuzilanda, was released through Dream Press in 2020. BKhz Gallery shared the news of her passing:
Lunga’s untimely death is a shocking blow to our hearts, minds, and spirits. In this moment, we remember and dote on the caring, sweet, humble, fun, effortlessly cool, and ever so stylish person she was. Lunga was a dear friend and sister to each member of the gallery and our wider community. She was an exceptional contemporary artist, whose meditations evolved in imagination and presentation with each body of work. Lunga Ntila’s contributions to the world of art will definitely not go unnoticed and will continue to be honoured. We are truly thankful and filled with joy to have had the opportunity to share space in her life’s journey on both professional and personal fronts. We stand, with love and courage, with the Ntila family, friends, colleagues, and everyone who was touched by Lunga’s light. May there be kindness and comfort during this period.
Dada Khanyisa wins FNB Art Joburg art prize
Dada Khanyisa
Dada Khanyisa was announced the winner of the 2022 FNB Art Joburg prize yesterday. Khanyisa will be awarded a solo exhibition at the Johannesburg Art Gallery, alongside a cash prize. Previous winners include Wycliffe Mundopa, Lady Skollie, Bronwyn Katz, Haroon Gunn-Salie, Peju Alatise, Nolan Oswald Dennis, Turiya Magadlela, Portia Zvavahera, Nelisiwe Xaba, Mocke J van Veuren, and Kudzanai Chiurai. We look forward to seeing Khanyisa’s work and others at FNB Art Joburg in two weeks’ time.
Stevenson opens Where do I begin
This group show, curated by Alexander Richards, is set to be an experimentation in curation and education, featuring many who’s who of the art world. Exhibiting artists include: Moshekwa Langa, Igshaan Adams, Zander Blom, Steven Cohen, Meschac Gaba, Ian Grose, Bonolo Kavula, Dada Khanyisa, Lebogang Mogul Mabusela, Gerhard Marx, Neo Matloga, Unathi Mkonto, Nabeeha Mohamed, Paulo Nazareth, Simphiwe Ndzube, Sam Nhlengethwa, Mame-Diarra Niang, Thenjiwe Niki Nkosi, Asemahle Ntlonti, Frida Orupabo, Thania Petersen, Jo Ractliffe, Robin Rhode, Viviane Sassen, Gerda Scheepers, Penny Siopis, Lindokuhle Sobekwa, Sitaara Stodel, Mikhael Subotzky, Thato Toeba and Portia Zvavahera. We look forward to the opening on Saturday, 20 August 10am-1pm.
