Sam Nhlengethwa | Art Meets Fashion
Head-Image
Sam Nhlengethwa
Grand Piano, 2023
Acrylic, oil and collage on canvas
120 x 140 x 10 cm / 47.2 x 55.1 x 3.9 in.
Yellow and orange dresses
2023
Acrylic, oil and collage on canvas
140 x 120 x 10 cm (55.1 x 47.2 x 3.9 in.)
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 toartmaking 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.
Triplets I, 2023
Acrylic, oil and collage on canvas
140 x 120 x 10 cm (55.1 x 47.2 x 3.9 in.)
Central to his practice and his life is a fascination with the sartorial; how people dress themselves to represent who they are and how they view the world. For the artist, clothing and art have always fed each other. 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
Triplets II. 2023
Acrylic, oil and collage on canvas
140 x 120 x 10 cm (55.1 x 47.2 x 3.9 in.)
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.
Black dress I, 2023
Acrylic, oil and collage on canvas
150 x 70.5 x 10 cm (59 x 27.8 x 3.9 in).
“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
Black dress II, 2023
Acrylic, oil and collage on canvas
150 x 70.5 x 10 cm (59 x 27.8 x 3.9 in).
Afro I, 2023
Hand-printed lithograph
Image: 33 x 47 cm (13 x 18.5)
Paper: 43.5 x 55 cm (17 x 21.6)
STD 7/35
Afro II, 2023
Hand-printed lithograph
Image: 33 x 47 cm (13 x 18.5)
Paper: 43.5 x 55 cm (17 x 21.6)
STD 7/35
Green Chair, 2023
Hand-printed lithograph
Image: 33 x 47 cm (13 x 18.5)
Paper: 43.5 x 55 cm (17 x 21.6)
STD 7/35
Head Scarf, 2023
Hand-printed lithograph
Image: 33 x 47 cm (13 x 18.5)
Paper: 43.5 x 55 cm (17 x 21.6)
STD 7/35
Lipstick, 2023
Hand-printed lithograph
Image: 33 x 47 cm (13 x 18.5)
Paper: 43.5 x 55 cm (17 x 21.6)
STD 7/35
On the Ramp, 2023
Hand-printed lithograph
Image: 33 x 47 cm (13 x 18.5)
Paper: 43.5 x 55 cm (17 x 21.6)
STD 7/35
Red Beret, 2023
Hand-printed lithograph
Image: 33 x 47 cm (13 x 18.5)
Paper: 43.5 x 55 cm (17 x 21.6)
STD 7/35
Red Chair?, 2023
Hand-printed lithograph
Image: 33 x 47 cm (13 x 18.5)
Paper: 43.5 x 55 cm (17 x 21.6)
STD 7/35
White Beret, 2023
Hand-printed lithograph
Image: 33 x 47 cm (13 x 18.5)
Paper: 43.5 x 55 cm (17 x 21.6)
STD 7/35
White Hat, 2023
Hand-printed lithograph
Image: 33 x 47 cm (13 x 18.5)
Paper: 43.5 x 55 cm (17 x 21.6)
STD 7/35
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.
Selected solo exhibitions include: Jazz and Blues at night, Goodman Gallery, London (2021); Leeto: Print retrospective, Wits Art Museum, Johannesburg (2019); IN FOCUS: SAM NHLENGETHWA, The University of Michigan Museum, Michigan (2017); Life, Jazz and Lots of Other Things, SCAD Museum of Art, Savannah, Georgia (2014); Townships Re-visited, Goodman Gallery, Johannesburg (2006); and Homage to Jazz, Standard Bank Young Artist Award travelling show, South Africa (1994-5).
Group exhibitions include: Through an African Lens: Sub-Saharan Photography from the Museum’s Collection, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (2020). Travelling to Museo de Arte Miguel Urrutia until 11 March 2024; TRANS, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg (2018); BEYOND BORDERS: GLOBAL AFRICA, The University of Michigan Museum, Michigan (2018); South Africa: The Art of a Nation, British Museum, London (2017); New Revolutions: Goodman Gallery at 50, Goodman Gallery, Johannesburg (2016); Contemporary Art / South Africa, Yale University Art Gallery (2014); Imaginary Fact: Contemporary South African Art and the Archive, South African Pavilion, 55th la Biennale di Venezia, Venice (2013); 12th International Cairo Biennale, Cairo (2010); Strengths and Convictions: The lives and times of South Africa’s Nobel Peace Prize laureates, Albert Luthuli, Desmond Tutu, F.W. de Klerk, Nelson Mandela, Iziko SA National Gallery, Cape Town (2009); New Identities – Contemporary South African Art, Kunstmuseum Bochum, Bochum (2004); 8th Havana Biennale, Havana (2003); and Africa 95, Whitechapel, London (1995).
Collections include: Museum of Fine Arts Houston, Houston; World Bank, Washington D.C; Botswana Art Museum, Gaborone; Anglo American, Johannesburg; Iziko South African National Gallery, Cape Town; Johannesburg Art Gallery, Johannesburg; Nelson Mandela Foundation; Johannesburg; and Durban Art Gallery, Durban.