Goodman Gallery presents Art Meets Fashion, an exhibition of new paintings and prints by Sam Nhlengethwa. This body of work sees the artist explore the connection between art and fashion, as well as highlighting beauty of and visibility for people with albinism.
Throughout his career, Nhlengethwa has developed a distinctive collage and painting practice that explores everyday life in South Africa, from city life to domestic spaces to the influence of mining. His oeuvre, approach to artmaking and involvement in institutions such as Bag Factory Artist Studios has contributed greatly to the South African arts landscape, making him one of the country’s seminal artists.
This circular feedback loop is what he highlights through runway scenes and portraits of vibrant colour. Taking this further, Nhlengethwa is collaborating with iconic South African designer Sonwabile Ndamase - the creator of the iconic “Madiba shirt” worn by former President Nelson Mandela. Under his label Vukani Fashions, Ndamase will produce a new collection inspired by the paintings.
“The theme, ‘Art meets Fashion’, is born out of the golden thread of art that permeates the fashion world. I believe that clothing designs and other fashion accessories are inspired by art - whether in colour or style. My interest in this dates back to my teens. I have always been fascinated by people looking trendy. I love shopping around for exclusive pieces of clothing for myself and my family. In this series, I reflect on models in dressing rooms and on the ramp, as well as everyday people looking stylish.” - Nhlengethwa
Artworks
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As with previous exhibitions, Nhlengethwa is using his practice to platform those in society who are often overlooked. For this show the artist includes people with albinism as the central figures in his works and is collaborating with model, motivational speaker and inclusion activist, Palesa Mosiea to sensitively unpack their challenges and highlight their radiance.
“People often assume that having a specific condition limits you. I am excited to collaborate on this project given its aims to raise awareness about the challenges we face as people with albinism but also to positively demonstrate what we can do. As a project based on including people who are perceived as different, it speaks to the importance of diversity and creating a tolerant society, which is what I emphasise in my work as a motivational speaker and inclusion activist.” - Mosiea
Artist Bio
Sam Nhlengethwa (b. 1955, Payneville, Springs) part of a pioneering generation of late 20th century South African artists whose work reflects the sociopolitical history and everyday life of their country. Through his paintings, collages and prints Nhlengethwa has depicted the evolution of Johannesburg through street life, interiors, jazz musicians and fashion.
Nhlengethwa was born in the Black township community of Payneville near Springs (a satellite mining town east of Johannesburg), in 1955 and grew up in Ratanda location in nearby Heidelberg. In the 1980s, he moved to Johannesburg where he honed his practice at the renowned Johannesburg Art Foundation under its founder Bill Ainslie. Nhlengethwa is one of the founders of the legendary Bag Factory, in Newtown, in the heart of the Johannesburg CBD, where he used to share studio space with fellow greats of this pioneering generation of South African artists, such as David Koloane and Pat Mautloa.
In 2014, a major survey exhibition, titled 'Life, Jazz and Lots of Other Things,' was hosted by SCAD Museum of Art in Savannah, Georgia, which was then co-hosted in Atlanta by SCAD and the Carter Center.
Nhlengethwa’s practice features in important arts publications, such as Phaidon’s The 20th Century Art Book (2001).
Other notable exhibitions and accolades in South Africa and around the world include: in 1994 – the year South Africa held its first democratic elections – Nhlengethwa was awarded the prestigious Standard Bank Young Artist of the Year award; in 1995, his work was included in the Whitechapel Gallery’s 'Seven Stories About Modern Art in Africa' in London; in 2000, he participated in a two-man show at Seippel Art Gallery in Cologne.
Group exhibitions include: 'Constructions: Contemporary Art from South Africa,' Museu de Arte Contemporanea de Niteroi, Brazil (2011); 'Beyond Borders: Global Africa,' University of Michigan Museum of Art, Michigan (2018).
Biennales include: 6th Beijing Biennale in (2015); 55th Venice Biennale, as part of the South African Pavilion, titled Imaginary Fact: Contemporary South African Art and the Archive (2013); 12th International Cairo Biennale (2010); 8th Havana Biennale (2003); Southern African Stories: A Print Collection, CCA (Caribbean Contemporary Arts), Trinidad (2002).
Collections include: Johannesburg Art Gallery (JAG), Durban Art Gallery (DAG), Iziko South African National Art Gallery (ISANG), Standard Bank’s Head Office, Absa, Botswana Art Museum, Museum of Fine Arts Houston, amongst many in South Africa and abroad.
Nhlengethwa lives and works in Johannesburg, South Africa.
