Songezo Zantsi showcases his second solo exhibition, ‘Iyabulela iLali’, spotlighting overlooked traditional marriage practices.
Presented by Vela Projects from 12 July to 10 August, the exhibition depicts scenes of a traditional Xhosa matrimonial ceremony, featuring 11 original paintings that stem from photographs captured by the artist at a family wedding in Qumbu, rural Eastern Cape. The 33-year-old artist from Cape Town uses his work to depict poignant moments of human interaction.
Set against the backdrop of the dry July heat and windy conditions, the artist captures the atmosphere of the day with a warm palette. The swirling dust and vibrant hues convey the atmosphere of the event, reflecting a visual experience of landscape. Featured prominently across these works is a procession of men on horseback, marking the entertainment for the ceremony.
Zantsi’s artistic approach in this series merges the precision of figurative painting with the emotive quality of mark-making, evolving into a new impressionist style. Each painting becomes an open narrative, encouraging the audience to immerse themselves in the scenes, finding distinct interpretations of the joyous in-between moments of celebration depicted.
