We are iQhiya- young black women who collided paths in the institution. We make art. There is a lot to say that wouldn’t fit into this exhibition, and it’s debatable whether you are paying attention in any case- because blackness and womanness is absentness. 

The works speak to voids, tensions- histories- lingering between the materialities of the everyday, and the imaginative, fantastical futures where we might be free. Digital, print, and sculptural realisations occupy the gallery space- not as token additions to white washed, or in-vogue black man shows, and neither at the margins, but occupying the centre that has at times appeared so faraway. iQhiya is the support structure we wish we always had in learning spaces, the centres we always wished we could occupy, and the people we wished we could share lunch times with.

Our work speaks individually and collectively. It’s interesting to note that while all of us have been hard at work in our personal capacities, black women only seem to become relevant as a collective. Why do you all want to hear a collective voice anyway? Aren’t our individual voices qualified enough, academic enough, sensual enough, or contemporary enough?…

We give you iQhiya.

Members : Bonolo Kavula, Matlhogonolo Charity Kelapile, Bronwyn Katz, Matlhogonolo Pinky Mayeng, Thulile Gamedze, Lungiswa Gqunta, Asemahle Ntlonti, Thandiwe Msebenzi, Sethembile Msezane, Sisipho Ngodwana and Buhlebezwe Siwani.

This exhibition is part of KZNSA’s Social Art Programme 2014-2017, funded by the National Lotteries Commission.