Catching Up with Xhanti Zwelendaba
Ahead of the 2023 Investec Art Fair, we’ve sat down with some notable local artists to gauge the creative landscape of the country. Xhanti Zwelendaba is an artist who’s received local and international acclaim, in part for his diverse use of mediums, each chosen for their ability to bring life to the thought-provoking concepts at the core of his work. He describes his work as “a testimony to interrogating my identity and the collective identities of Black people living in South Africa.” We sat down to chat with him about his journey thus far and what he has planned for the future. Written by James Nash.
Where are you based at the moment?
This question has been a nightmare for the whole of 2022. I’m in between Cape Town, Johannesburg and Makhanda – with occasional international spaces. I went to JHB to do my masters in 2021/2022 and after I finished I had to leave for a residency in Germany right after. I never got a chance to decide, so yeah, I don’t know. I’m where I’m needed and where I need to be.
What’s your go-to fit for a day in the studio?
It differs regarding which type of work I’ll be doing on the day. But the general rule is if I fuck up an item of clothing, whether it rips a bit or I spill something on it that’s not removable, that then becomes part of the studio attire. Shoes are more consistent though – the rotation is between triple black Nike Air Max Plus TNs, triple black Air Max 95’s, Nike ACG Air Nasu IIs, Nike ACG Air Nasu Gore-Tex, or a New Balance 990 V4 on a clean day.
Could you tell us a bit about yourself and your journey as an artist?
I’m an anti-disciplinary artist working in a diverse range of mediums such as sculpting, print-making, installation, performance art and video art. My work deals primarily with the complexities and tensions surrounding Xhosa culture and the modern-day culture of contemporary capitalism and nationalism – embedded within these is the legacy of colonialism and apartheid.
My work has been overtly committed to pursuing an art practice within a decolonial paradigm, which is constantly pushing the boundaries and limits of art-making from the African continent within the contemporary art sphere, which is still a largely western, European-dominated industry.
My journey as an artist has been strange, to say the least. In general, I’ve always turned to art to deal with questions I have been unable to articulate in spoken language. Art and being an artist gives me room to stay curious and to stay childish and to get away with so many things I probably wouldn’t have if I chose another ‘profession’. In regards to how it’s been as an artist – it’s afforded me so many things and so many experiences that I’m grateful for.
You’ve described yourself as an anti-disciplinary artist. Can you elaborate on what that means to you?
Being an anti-disciplinary artist is a multi-faceted concept. Anti-faceted.
The way I approach creating is through a non-conformist standpoint. I don’t want to create anything that makes sense as soon as you engage with it. I want the viewer to be uncertain, or at least question why I do/did that. It’s not something I plan to do, but there is always an intention, whether through the aesthetic, subject matter, or materials used – the art needs to exist as more than just an object to consume.
Being anti-disciplinary also means that I’m invested in the idea or the discourse within the artwork more than anything. As you might’ve seen, my work varies from so many different materials to art forms and that’s because I always try my best to present an idea in the best form I possibly can. Put simply, painters will always look to make a painting. I don’t work that way. I try to figure out what’s the best way to relay what’s in my head.
Can you talk about some of your favourite artworks you’ve created?
My favourite artwork hasn’t been produced yet. It’s a short film(s) that I’ve written and planned out. I don’t know if they’ll ever be produced or if I ever want them to be actualized. Creators give so much of themselves and I feel that I’ve given so much and I will keep on giving but this one could be just mine.
What are your plans for the future? Any exhibitions we should look out for?
I’m currently working on some art for a few fairs locally and abroad – in the first quarter of 2023. I’ve been encouraged by a few galleries to do a solo and I’ve given it some thought. That could be in the middle of the year or in the latter part of the year – we’ll see.
