Smile Artists Africa, in collaboration with the North-West University (NWU) Gallery celebrates women’s Month with a showcase of the “Mantariana Mbokodo Musings” Art Exhibition to be held at the Potchefstroom Campus of the NWU from 9 August 2021 and closing on 17 September 2021.
“Mantariana” celebrates originality, unique creativity, and individual expression. “Mbokodo” on the other hand lays acclaim to the collective power and strength of women. The exhibition is therefore the perfect marriage of “Mantariana Mbokodo” as a collection and celebration of artistic work from five South African female artists, highlighting their unique craft, and the evolution of art and women in South Africa.
For Women’s Month, we examine the meaning of femininity in the modern South African context. The South African woman has historically shown her strength of character as well as creativity in finding solutions to the challenges of modern living. Women can fashion something beautiful out of any situation and this show pays homage to that, with the exhibition featuring five female artists who use non-traditional media to engage us in conversation.
The artists featured in the show are: Lerato Motau (Textile fiber), Phumzile Buthelezi (collage and found objects), Mel Madiba (pyrography), Lebohang Motaung (hair) and Nompumelelo Ngoma (drawing and painting).
The MMM exhibition will feature both an indoor exhibition and an outdoor sculpture theme and take the visitor on a journey through the expressions of femininity, from creation with fire, to found object sculpture, and grand installation. The NWU Botanical gardens are the perfect setting for this dialogue. A beautiful and functional garden featuring medicinal plants, noteworthy rock structures, and natural fauna, with a beautiful exhibition hall in the middle, is the perfect backdrop for an exhibition that seeks to embrace the expression of femininity.
