Asanda Lusaseni Mvana, known affectionately as Msaki, is showcasing her profound artistic capabilities in an exhibition titled Kuthi Mandithethe: Of Art and Justice at the Standard Bank Gallery in Marshalltown.
Msaki's multifaceted artistry, including music, songwriting, composition, and visual art, is showcased in this thought-provoking showcase, deeply rooted in personal and collective histories of healing and justice.
In a move that aligns seamlessly with Standard Bank’s 40-year legacy of nurturing artistic talent, the exhibition presents a bold intersection of language, ritual, and sound, inviting viewers to engage with the complexities of sound, resistance, and resilience.
At its core, the exhibition urges audiences to confront societal truths that remain unspoken, allowing the isiXhosa phrase “Kuthi Mandithethe” to reverberate as both a call to action and a space of reflection.
Curated by Dr. Same Mdluli, the manager of Standard Bank Gallery, the exhibition also prioritises accessibility and immersion, transforming the gallery into a vessel of Msaki’s artistic spirit.
“The aim was to offer a space where people can feel as though they’re not just observing the work but stepping inside it – experiencing the intersection of sound and image as Msaki does when she often composes her music,” Mdluli explains.
Msaki's journey into the depths of visual art has previously included notable projects such as her residency at the NIROX Foundation, culminating in Platinumb Heart, an installation addressing themes of gender-based violence and social unrest.
Her performances, such as Delakufa, showcased at the National Arts Festival, have also pushed artistic boundaries, weaving memory, trauma, and healing into her narratives.
Kuthi Mandithethe: Of Art and Justice unfolds in four poignant segments: Nal’ithemba (Harbouring Hope), Zanelisa (How the Water Moves), Platinumb Heart, and Izenzo (Acts).
It is explained that each section draws upon Msaki’s extensive discography, employing diverse mediums like drawing, painting, video, and installation to express the intricate tapestry of loss, protest, and love.
Zanelisa: How the Water Moves: This part of the exhibition explores the dualities of water as both a destructive and nurturing force, reflecting on how it embodies cleansing, memory, grief, and renewal.
Msaki poignantly notes, “There’s something about the water… that made the loss bearable,” fostering a sense of healing and transformation.
Nal’ithemba: Harbouring Hope: Through text and beadwork, Msaki channels resilience and connection, turning lyrics from her music and traditional adornments into tangible shields of hope.
Platinum Heart: Of Love in Protest - This powerful installation confronts issues of gender-based violence and social justice. It invites viewers to witness love as a form of protest, offering a sprawling display that transforms despair into possibility.
Izenzo: Acts Concluding the exhibition, this segment serves as a reflective piece on the tensions between protest and the search for justice, asking, “How do we heal when violence denies us peace?”
As a creative prelude to an upcoming one-night-only performance titled Camagu in Symphony, Kuthi Mandithethe: Of Art and Justice embodies the elegant fusion of music and visual art. The performance will feature Msaki’s unmatched vocals woven alongside a string quartet, offering a live embodiment of the themes explored in the exhibition.
The Star