Zizipho Poswa's 'iMbewu (The Seed)' Opens at Southern Guild New York
Southern Guild New York presents 'iMbewu (The Seed)', a landmark survey of Zizipho Poswa's ceramic practice from June 26 to September 2, 2026. The exhibition, whose title means 'seed' in isiXhosa, features works spanning nearly a decade alongside new sculptures. Poswa's hand-coiled ceramics draw on Southern African women's cultural knowledge, ceremonial practices, and matriarchal systems. Her ongoing 'Umthwalo' series (since 2020) explores women carrying loads atop their heads as architectural totems. Motifs include cow horns, braided coiffures, stacked vessels, hair combs, ukhamba beer pots, and bronze crests. This is Poswa's sixth solo with Southern Guild and her first in the Tribeca space. A monograph will accompany the show. Her work is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, LACMA, Art Institute of Chicago, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Princeton University Art Museum, Jorge M. Pérez Collection, Schulting Art Collection, and HRH Franz, Duke of Bavaria. She has exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, LACMA, Museum of the African Diaspora, Kunsthal KAdE, Fondazione Giorgio Cini, and with Jeffrey Deitch, Mariane Ibrahim, and Galerie Italienne. Her work appears in 'Black Clay: Black Women, Ceramics & Contemporary Art' (2027) by Dr. Jareh Das. Public programming includes a book launch and panel with Jenée-Daria Strand on July 1.
Key facts
- Exhibition runs June 26 to September 2, 2026 at Southern Guild New York, 75 Leonard St, Tribeca.
- Title 'iMbewu' means 'seed' in isiXhosa, symbolizing transformation and continuity.
- Poswa's hand-coiled ceramics are rooted in Southern African women's cultural knowledge and matriarchal systems.
- The 'Umthwalo' series (2020–ongoing) depicts women carrying loads on their heads.
- Recurring motifs include cow horns, braided coiffures, stacked vessels, hair combs, ukhamba beer pots, and bronze crests.
- This is Poswa's sixth solo exhibition with Southern Guild and first in their Tribeca space.
- A monograph published by Southern Guild will accompany the exhibition.
- Poswa's work is in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, LACMA, Art Institute of Chicago, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Princeton University Art Museum, Jorge M. Pérez Collection, Schulting Art Collection, and HRH Franz, Duke of Bavaria.
- She has exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, LACMA, Museum of the African Diaspora, Kunsthal KAdE, Fondazione Giorgio Cini, and with Jeffrey Deitch, Mariane Ibrahim, and Galerie Italienne.
- Her work is included in 'Black Clay: Black Women, Ceramics & Contemporary Art' (2027) by Dr. Jareh Das.
- Public programming includes a book launch, signing, and panel with Jenée-Daria Strand on July 1, 2026 at 6PM.
Entities
Artists
- Zizipho Poswa
- Dr. Jareh Das
Institutions
- Southern Guild
- Southern Guild New York
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Philadelphia Museum of Art
- Princeton University Art Museum
- Jorge M. Pérez Collection
- Schulting Art Collection
- HRH Franz, Duke of Bavaria
- Museum of the African Diaspora
- Kunsthal KAdE
- Fondazione Giorgio Cini
- Jeffrey Deitch
- Mariane Ibrahim
- Galerie Italienne
- Public Art Fund
Locations
- New York
- United States
- Mthatha
- South Africa
- Eastern Cape
- San Francisco
- Amersfoort
- Venice
- Los Angeles
- Chicago
- Paris