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Pitika Ntuli exhibits in NewtownSheena Hart03/11/2010 17:09:55 
Pitika Ntuli, who achieved international acclaim while in exile in Europe and USA, will be exhibiting in South Africa for the first time on May 20. His exhibition, "Scent of Invisible Footprints - in Moments of Complexity", is coming to MuseuMAfricA in Newtown, from 20 May to 31 August. Ntuli is known as a sculptor, painter, poet, writer, and academic who has participated in many individual and group exhibitions internationally. The exhibition will comprise between 140 to 180 sculptures in a variety of materials including found objects, metal, wood, bone, stone, plastics and bronze. The diversity, beauty and complexity of this show are a major contribution to the artistic language and achievement of Africa. Pitika uses symbols in his work to create a dialogue between his African heritage and that of modern Western values, and the depth of feeling and creativity in this exhibition is highlighted by a collection of his poems written about the sculptures. Pitika's combination of visual and literary images places him in that rare group of artists that defy categorisation. Before international pressure secured his release, Pitika Ntuli spent a year in solitary isolation in the death cells of Swaziland. In London he quickly became the radical cultural face of the exile South African community in UK. He was instrumental in the development of Jenako Arts, a multi disciplinary arts centre promoting the arts and culture of Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. He was invited to hold sculpture workshops in France, Germany, Switzerland, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Senegal, USA and UK. ITV featured him in "Echoes of My Land, the Art of Pitika Ntuli"; and Swiss TV documented his life in "An Artist in Exile". Recognised as one of South Africa's most significant intellectuals, Pitika was invited home to join the Fine Arts Department of Wits University, and to assist with the reconstruction process. He holds an MFA from the Pratt Institute in New York and an MA in Comparative Industrial Relations and Industrial Sociology. In the UK he taught at Camberwell College of Art; Central St. Martins School of Art; the London College of Printing; Middlesex University and the University of East London. In South Africa he has taught at Wits and UKZN, and is currently Professor Extraordinaire at TUT. Pitika is an expert in African indigenous knowledge systems, a frequent guest on TV and radio, and a popular regular political and cultural commentator on SABC 2, Weekend Live. He was the main organiser of the KwaZulu-Natal Millennium Parade and a key figure in the African Renaissance Annual Festivals in Durban. He has also participated in several national and provincial task teams and ministerial advisory committees and is a judge for the Sunday Times Literary Awards (2009 and 2010). Live poetry performances, debates, poetry and art workshops will be held throughout the exhibition from May 20 to August 31. Workshops for young people and schools projects will also be organised. The exhibition is sponsored by MTN. For further information, interviews, photographs - please contact: Sheena Hart Tel: 011 442 7676 Fax: 086 655 6787 Cell: 084 673 0602 E-mail: sheenahart@telkomsa.net |
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Comments
Mr Pitika I was in mzansi last july and I think I watched you on tv reciting a poem minutes b4 I was interviewed om the same station..I was in south africa to perform my ooetry for the arts alive international festival!
Posted by sage hasson on Wednesday, 23rd June 2010 at 12:53:17 PM
I would definately love to see some of his work..+n wat days will the poetry perfomances be?
Posted by lindelwa gama on Sunday, 16th May 2010 at 08:19:24 PM
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