Artyli Gallery presents "UBUNTU" at SCOPE Art Fair, Miami 2024
A Celebration of Interdependence through African Art
Artyli Gallery is honoured to present Ubuntu, a captivating exhibition at SCOPE Art Fair in Miami (3-8 December 2024), featuring the works of prominent South African artists Bambo Sibiya, Andrew Ntshabele, and emerging talent Frans Thoka. Inspired by the ancient African philosophy of Ubuntu—meaning "I am because we are"—this exhibition embodies the profound interconnectedness of humanity. As the central theme of SCOPE Art Fair 2024 is Interdependence, Ubuntu is a fitting exploration of the shared bonds that define and uplift us all.
Each of these three exceptional artists reflects upon the intimate ties between individuals, community, and the land. Through diverse media and compelling narratives, their work calls attention to the themes of tradition, memory, land ownership, cultural identity, and the unyielding resilience of the human spirit. These deeply personal yet universally resonant themes transcend geographical boundaries, offering insight into the larger dialogue surrounding race, identity, and social justice in the African diaspora and beyond.
Frans Thoka's mixed media works on prison blankets combine meticulous layers of painting, stitching, cutting, and collaging to explore the landscape of South Africa and the broader themes of land ownership dating back to the devastating dispossession of black South Africans’ ancestral lands, villages, voices and memories when The Native Lands Act was declared law in 1913. His intricate compositions evoke both the macro and micro, shifting between abstract aerial views of land and intimate, microscopic investigations of form. Thoka's use of hessian and fabric as his canvas reflects the layered history of the land itself—both as a physical and metaphorical structure.
The prison blanket, for Thoka, is more than a blanket; it becomes a symbol of activism in the face of an irreconcilable past. It serves as cultural protection for a people that feel like they are still imprisoned by their devastating past. The blanket is a canvas for memory, and a vessel for storytelling that has the power to expose injustice and provide a new way of seeing how black South Africans really feel. Thoka examines how the land holds the traces of personal and collective histories, particularly the legacies of colonialism and apartheid. His abstract representations of cacti, rocks, and other natural elements speak to the endurance of tradition and the indelible scars left by history.
Andrew Ntshabele's vibrant oil paintings capture the enduring vitality and hope of South African mothers and children. Framed within the broader context of historical and social narratives, his collaged works depict intimate, tender moments between children and between children and their mothers. In many pieces, the figures are seen from behind, suggesting both separation and observation—a powerful metaphor for the complex relationship between the personal and the political, the past and the future.
The striking contrast of sepia tones and bold colours in Ntshabele’s works creates a dynamic tension between innocence and history, purity and ruin. His layered use of collage—featuring snippets of newsprint and archival imagery—invites viewers to reflect on the historical struggles of South Africa, while celebrating the resilience and promise of the "born free" generation. Through his work, Ntshabele challenges the viewer to confront the complexities of history, identity, and the ongoing fight for social and racial justice.
Bambo Sibiya's powerful depictions of Black African women elevate them as icons of strength, resilience, and cultural authority. Sibiya's paintings are both commemorative and empowering, portraying women not only as the backbone of their families and communities, but also as agents of social and political change. His use of bold, evocative imagery imbues each figure with a sense of grandeur and dignity, capturing their essence as both protectors and visionaries.
Sibiya's work is particularly resonant in the context of South Africa's fraught history of gender and racial oppression. His figures of women—often depicted as monumental, unwavering, and poised—speak to the enduring strength of those who have carried the weight of both history and the future on their shoulders. His work recalls the revolutionary anthem "Wathint' Abafazi, Wathint' Imbokodo" ("You strike a woman, you strike a rock"), a powerful call to action that embodies the fierce determination of African women in the face of adversity. Sibiya’s art transcends the personal to become a universal symbol of resistance and empowerment.
At its core, Ubuntu is about interconnectedness—our shared humanity and the understanding that we are shaped by one another. This exhibition brings together the diverse yet unified voices of Thoka, Ntshabele, and Sibiya, who, through their respective practices, invite us to reflect on the significance of community, memory, and the land. Whether exploring the landscape, the maternal bond, or the strength of women, these artists offer a profound meditation on the power of collective identity.
As Roman Krznaric writes, “Empathy is … an ideal that has the power both to transform our own lives and to bring about fundamental social change.” The Ubuntu exhibition at SCOPE Art Fair is a celebration of this empathy—a call for a revolution of human relationships that transcends borders and divisions.
Join us in experiencing this powerful exhibition that speaks not only to the history of South Africa, but to the universal struggles and triumphs of humanity. Ubuntu is an invitation to invest in a shared future, one that acknowledges our interconnectedness and celebrates the strength that comes from unity.
For more information and inquiries about the artists and their works, please contact Artyli Gallery.
Artyli Gallery is a proudly BBEEE-compliant contemporary African art gallery with 40% Black ownership. Dedicated to showcasing a dynamic range of artworks by artists at various stages of their careers, Artyli Gallery is driven by a passion for contemporary African art and a commitment to empowering its artists to succeed. Located in Nelson Mandela Square Mall, Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa. Artyli Gallery serves as a vibrant hub for art enthusiasts, collectors, and visitors. It celebrates the rich diversity of African art through thought-provoking exhibitions that challenge conventions and highlight the unique perspectives and creative voices of its artists. With both physical and digital platforms, Artyli Gallery creates opportunities for diverse market sectors to acquire exceptional artworks. It also offers a comprehensive range of services, including secure global shipping, art advisory, curation, framing, delivery, and installation—making art accessible and enriching spaces worldwide.
Contact: Karen Cullinan Gallery Director and Curator - +27815049974 / karen@artyli.com
Contact: Richard Cullinan Sales Director and Art Consultant - +278825522577 / richard@artyli.com
