Buhlebezwe Siwani's First Italian Solo Exhibition at Consonni Radziszewski, Milan

Consonni Radziszewski has opened its Milan venue with 'uYana umhlaba', marking the debut solo exhibition in Italy for South African artist Buhlebezwe Siwani. This exhibition showcases a fresh collection of mixed-media paintings that build upon her 'Inkanyamba' series, initially presented at the Galeria Municipal de Almada in Portugal. The title, which means 'it is raining earth' or 'tears of the earth', captures the essence of untamed landscapes through vibrant colors, textures, and abstract shapes. Siwani's artistic journey is deeply influenced by her upbringing in apartheid-era Soweto, Johannesburg, where her family lived near abandoned mines due to the Group Areas Act. The artwork features hand- and machine-sewn fabrics unique to her heritage, with stitching that hints at fragile boundaries. Materials used include gold pigment, symbolizing the sacredness of Soweto's mines, resin to evoke water, and Sunlight green soap, a common cleaning agent in rural South Africa. Siwani critiques colonialism, Christianity, and gender issues through the cleansing ritual. Her move to the Netherlands has strengthened her ties to South Africa. The exhibition continues until May 30, 2026, and Siwani is also featured in 'In Minor Keys', curated by Koyo Kouoh for the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia.