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Anastasia Pather's First Museum Solo, 'Mother Tongue', Opens at William Humphreys Art Gallery

exhibition · 2026-10-22

The William Humphreys Art Gallery in Kimberley, South Africa, is currently hosting Anastasia Pather's inaugural solo museum exhibition, titled 'Mother Tongue', which will be on display until 26 November 2026. Curated by Chepape Makgato, the exhibition showcases 22 pieces created between 2017 and 2026, including notable works such as 'Gold', 'The Soft Revolution', 'Thief', and 'Zama Zama', along with several pieces from 2026. Pather, who paints using her fingers, describes her technique as 'diction without tense' and draws inspiration from artists Moshekwa Langa and Penny Siopis. Makgato commended her exploration of identity and culture. This exhibition coincides with WHAG's Women's Printmaking Exhibition, featuring artists like Judith Mason and Buhlebezwe Siwani. Pather considers this recognition a significant milestone in her career, highlighting her identity as a woman artist throughout the year.

Key facts

  • 'Mother Tongue' is Anastasia Pather's first solo museum exhibition
  • It is on view at the William Humphreys Art Gallery in Kimberley, South Africa, until 26 November 2026
  • Chepape Makgato, WHAG chief curator, curated the exhibition
  • The show includes 22 works spanning 2017 to 2026
  • Pather paints with her fingers instead of conventional brushes
  • The exhibition runs alongside WHAG's Women's Printmaking Exhibition from the permanent collection
  • Pather cites Penny Siopis as her mentor; Siopis's 'Patience on The Monument' hangs in a connected wing
  • Pather describes English as a colonised tongue and her painterly language as 'diction without tense'

Entities

Artists

Institutions

  • William Humphreys Art Gallery
  • ART AFRICA

Locations

  • Kimberley
  • South Africa
  • Northern Cape

Sources