Simphiwe Ndzube: Magic at Work, ArtistTalk, David Brower center, Berkeley, CA



Simphiwe Ndzube: Magic at Work

Monday, February 3, 2020, 6:30pm-8pm

David Brower center (2150 Allston way, Berkeley)

            I read an article, 9 Emerging Los Angeles Artists to Watch in 2019, in Artnet news last year. It showed several artists that make very interesting artwork and I have remembered Simphiwe Ndzube’s paintings and his installation with headless figures. He has had exhibitions all over the world. He moved to Los Angeles from Cape Town in 2015.

Ndzube started his lecture by showing a short movie about a small town in South Africa that held a fashion competition for men. They should wear suits very well and show up being gentlemen. No matter what their jobs are, they look beautiful and wealthy. He was inspired by seeing them and thought about the meaning of clothes. He uses found clothes to create figures and places them in his imaginary situations or circumstances.

Most interesting was his installation, the Rain Prayer. Figures were built with wood, gloves, and shoes and they are holding umbrellas. They must be serious about waiting for rain, but the work feels humorous and demonstrates humans’ deep relations with one other.

After the lecture, I was able to talk with Ndzube in person by showing my work photos and I got his advice. He has a good energy to encourage developing artists and share his experience.

Artist Talk Poster

 

 

 The Rain Prayers

 

Selfie with Simphiwe Ndzube