REFLECTIONS: Mbongeni Buthelezi's Studio Visit - Master of Plastic Collage Making
On Monday, March 11th, 2024, my colleague Moses Senyatso and I experienced a profound journey as we took delivery of artworks by two exceptional artists, Zakes Mda and Mbongeni Buthelezi, located in different corners of our Johannesburg artistic landscape. Mda's pieces arrived fresh from his successful exhibition at the William Humphreys Art Gallery, where his captivating works had enraptured audiences from November 2023 to the end of February 2024. Meanwhile, Buthelezi's creations had been entrusted to our care for some time.
After handling the delivery of Mda's artworks, we embarked on a poignant pilgrimage to Buthelezi's studio, nestled within the warehouse confines of Booysen. It was a reunion filled with nostalgia and admiration as we reconnected with the master of plastic collage after many years. The last time I had the privilege of encountering him was in 2015, during the opening reception of my third solo exhibition in Johannesburg. Buthelezi, affectionately known as 'Shenge' or Sokoliswa, has been a guiding light in my artistic journey since my humble beginnings in art college. His mentorship and encouragement allowed me unprecedented access to his studio, where I gleaned invaluable insights into the intricate processes of artistry.
During our visit, Sokoliswa graciously led us on a mesmerizing walkabout of his studio, weaving tales of inspiration and creativity as he shared his vision for commissioned works in progress and unveiled series of works from years gone by. Among these captivating works was a five-panel series of 30 pieces, a poignant tribute crafted from plastic on open lids of toilet seats, mounted on reworked and stained corrugated metal sheets. This series stood as a solemn commemoration of the late five-year-old Michael Komape, whose tragic fate in a school toilet pit in 2014 serves as a haunting reminder of our collective failure to protect the innocence of our children.
The metaphorical significance of using toilet seats and corrugated zinc metal sheets in Sokoliswa's work serves as a poignant commentary on the substandard services we offer to the less fortunate in our society. Each panel is adorned with haunting portraits of little school children, their innocent faces a stark reminder of the vulnerability of youth and the urgent need for change.
This body of work holds a special place in Sokoliswa's heart, a testament to the profound impact of Komape's story and the enduring legacy it represents. It serves as a rallying cry for action, a stark reminder of our responsibility to ensure the safety and dignity of every child, especially those in rural areas where the scourge of pit latrines remains a harsh reality.
Civil organizations such as SECTION27 have tirelessly championed the cause, striving to hold the government of Limpopo and national authorities accountable for eradicating pit toilets and other forms of inadequate sanitation in public schools. The launch of the Michael Komape Sanitation Progress Monitor on Friday, March 24th, 2023, marked a significant milestone in this ongoing battle for justice and human rights. This online tool, unveiled at Daily Maverick's Human Rights Festival, serves as a beacon of hope in the fight for safe and dignified sanitation at schools in Limpopo, embodying the spirit of resilience and solidarity in the face of adversity.
Chepape Makgato is an independent artist, freelance arts writer and chief curator at William Humphreys Art Gallery. He also serves as a deputy chairperson of the South African Museums Association Central (Free State and Northern Cape provinces region). He is a PhD Candidate in Art and Music at the University of South Africa.
Thank you for this incredibly informative platform ❤️
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