Artist’s work shares deeper message
Art lecturer's artwork depicts life contradictions.
FOR University of Zululand’s arts lecturer, Mandla Mlotshwa, art is all about communicating a deeper message, and this is evident in his latest graffiti-inspired artworks being exhibited at the Durban Art Gallery until the end of May.
Describing the 20 artworks on exhibition, Mlotshwa said these were inspired by graffiti art which is defined by “human urgencies and anxieties”.
He believes that through his artworks, he is also able to capture the contradictions that are present in everyday life.
While not everyone might understand his “deep” art, Mlotshwa is not fazed, saying people do catch up. He said he will never dumb down his artwork for commercial success or to achieve mass appeal. “I want them to discover my art,” he said.
The soft-spoken Mlotshwa, who has spent most of his adult life teaching art at various institutions, believes that great artists are those who spend their time studying and learning new things. This is perhaps why he has exhibited very little in his career as an artist which spans more than two decades.
“I have been developing other aspects of my life, that is why this exhibiting part of my career had taken the backseat,” he explains.
Durban Art Gallery is at the City Hall, Durban. Contact 031 311 2264.
