Art that’s designed to engage, educate

Long Live King Kuti by Sphephelo Mnguni

Long Live King Kuti by Sphephelo Mnguni

Published Oct 21, 2014

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ART lovers have until the end of the month to take a look at the group exhibition Fela Kuti: Demo-krazy at the BAT Centre’s Menzi Mchunu Gallery.

Comprising artists Sphephelo Mnguni, Anathi Hadebe, Sbusiso Matebula and Nhlakanipho Ndimande, the exhibition aims to educate people about the role of arts in our social structures and community, as well as instil black pride in our youth.

The notion behind it is that a lot needs to be done in education on black consciousness, black pride and what it means to be a black African.

The show’s title is taken from an album produced by Fela Kuti’s son, a musician based in Nigeria, focusing on socio-economic issues.

Tonight chatted to exhibitor Mnguni. The 23-year-old painter had an intense passion for art from a young age. He says: “I would often get into trouble with my parents for drawing on walls at home.

“Things got serious in a way in primary school because kids knew what I could do. I would charge them for cartoons or school projects that required drawing.”

Explaining his work at the BAT Centre, Mnguni says: “We spend a lot of time on social media. We are a society of e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, Google and so on. So, at the BAT Centre I’ll be exhibiting Fela Kuti’s information (based on his life), where I’ll display internet links to information I’ve selected and I will paint some of the links live during the show so that people can log in and get to know this African writer better.

“I’m not a fan of traditional ways of doing art. I don’t want observers to just stand and stare. I want my art to be functional or interactive so that people can engage with the process, learn and share their own views. I’m celebrating Fela Kuti’s life with a contemporary feel and hope that my generation will relate.”

Mnguni says he appreciates the works of the other exhibitors and hopes audiences will too.

For instance, Hadebe’s body of work looks at everyday socio-political issues. As an artist, he has chosen to separate himself from the world as part of his working process.

Detached this way, he is able to see his surroundings, beliefs and traditions from a different perspective.

Ndimande’s work centres on African consciousness. It is an investigation of self; the past and present in search of a secure or stable future.

On what the exhibition offers audiences, Mnguni says: “We live in a country where literacy is a big issue, so I must say: Come learn with us and let’s share knowledge in the name of Fela Kuti. Let’s build a firm society and an even stronger African nation.”

• The exhibition opens at 6pm tonight and runs until October 31 at The Menzi Mchunu Gallery, BAT Centre. Free entrance. For more information, call 031 332 0451.

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