BLESSING NGOBENI: NTSUMI YA VUTOMI / MESSENGER OF EXPERIENCE | IZIKO SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL GALLERY

BLESSING NGOBENI: NTSUMI YA VUTOMI / MESSENGER OF EXPERIENCE | IZIKO SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL GALLERY 

‘Ntsumi Ya Vutomi’, on show from 16 November 2024 until 24 February 2025, at the Iziko South African National Gallery, 1 Government Avenue, Cape Town, South Africa. 

Open daily from 09:00 until 17:00, Excluding Christmas Day.

Tickets available online via Webtickets www.webtickets.co.za or at the door.

Iziko Museums of South Africa, in partnership with Standard Bank and MBN Studio, is proud to present ‘Ntsumi Ya Vutomi’, an evocative exhibition by South African artist Blessing Ngobeni, winner of the Standard Bank Young Artist Award for 2020 (Visual Arts). This compelling exhibition will be open to the public at the Iziko South African National Gallery in Cape Town from 16 November 2024 until 24 February 2025.

 
Ngobeni’s work has garnered acclaim for its profound social commentary, offering a layered critique of materialism and consumerism while reviving the importance of cultural heritage, tradition, and historical identity. In ‘Ntsumi Ya Vutomi’ – which translates to “Messenger of Experience” – Ngobeni draws audiences into a narrative of resilience and transformation, exploring themes of black existence in a post-colonial world. Through diverse mediums, including collage, painting, sculpture, installation,and video animation, Ngobeni’s works confront the viewer with a striking exploration of identity, history, and hope.

"’Ntsumi Ya Vutomi‘ is not only an exhibition but a journey, an invitation to reflect, engage in dialogue, and feel empowered," says Ngobeni, recipient of the prestigious 2020 Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Visual Arts. Ngobeni’s unique visual language speaks to the beauty and strength of African culture while calling viewers to confront the continued fight for justice, equality, and cultural preservation.

The exhibition creates a reflective space where visitors are invited to engage with the struggles, joys, and complexities of black communities. Embracing a spectrum of emotions from resilience and survival to love and loss, Ngobeni captures the paradoxes of modern life in societies still shadowed by the legacies of colonialism, anti-blackness, and systemic inequality. Through his artistic storytelling, Ngobeni not only sheds light on these experiences but also challenges audiences to envision a liberated future.

“Championing inclusive narratives that reflect the diversity of South Africans is at the heart of Iziko Museums’ commitment to reimagine and reshape the museum experience. Hosting this exhibition showcases how our spaces can inspire a deeper re-examination of our pasts and lived experiences. Through ‘Ntsumi Ya Vutomi’ and as spaces of public engagements, the Iziko South African National Gallery will challenge members of the public to reflect on the paradoxes of modern life and appreciate the resilience of humanity and personhood,” said Dr Bongani Ndhlovu, Acting CEO of Iziko Museums of South Africa.

In ‘Ntsumi Ya Vutomi’, Ngobeni pays tribute to black communities, honouring their enduring spirit and resilience in the face of the traumas caused by slavery and colonization. His multi-layered pieces expose distorted historical narratives and depict figures that embody the void left by disrupted traditions. Through striking imagery, including representations of chains, bondage, and liberation, Ngobeni’s art honours the sacrifices of African ancestors while inspiring younger generations to reclaim their heritage and pursue justice.