South African Pavilion at 2022 Venice Biennale features Roger Ballen, Phumulani Ntuli, and Lebohang Kganye
The 59th Venice Biennale, running from April 23 to November 27, 2022, showcases South Africa's national pavilion featuring the works of Roger Ballen, Phumulani Ntuli, and Lebohang Kganye. Ballen displays photographs from his Theatre of Apparitions series within lightboxes that hang in mid-air. Ntuli contributes two stop-motion films: Cloud Migration, which explores the Voortrekker Monument archive, and Godide, centered on a fictional character. Additionally, he presents collages that come to life through an Augmented Reality App. Ntuli highlighted the Biennale's significance in shaping socio-political discourse and networking, while critiquing South Africa's representation in the art world. Both artists express enthusiasm for other African pavilions, aiming to tackle themes of belonging and immigration.
Key facts
- The 59th Venice Biennale runs from 23 April to 27 November 2022.
- South Africa's pavilion features artists Roger Ballen, Phumulani Ntuli, and Lebohang Kganye.
- Roger Ballen exhibits photographs from his Theatre of Apparitions series using spray paints and epoxies on windows.
- Phumulani Ntuli shows two stop-motion films: Cloud Migration and Godide, along with AR-animated collages.
- Ntuli's Cloud Migration engages with the Voortrekker Monument archive and Alfred Duggan Cronin's ethnographic images.
- Ballen's earliest Biennale memory is from 2003, viewing Patricia Piccinini's We are Family in the Australian pavilion.
- Ntuli cites influences from artists like Durant Sihlali, Sydney Kumalo, Louis Maqhubela, and Cyprian Shilakoe.
- Ballen looks forward to seeing pavilions from Ghana, Zimbabwe, and Uganda, including works by Terrence Musekiwa and Diego Araúja.
Entities
Artists
- Roger Ballen
- Phumulani Ntuli
- Lebohang Kganye
- Alfred Duggan Cronin
- Durant Sihlali
- Sydney Kumalo
- Louis Maqhubela
- Cyprian Shilakoe
- Pat Maoutloa
- David Koloane
- John Akomfrah
- Isaac Julien
- Patricia Piccinini
- Terrence Musekiwa
- Diego Araúja
Institutions
- ArtReview
- Venice Biennale
- Voortrekker Monument
- Inside Out Centre for the Arts
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- South Africa
- Ghana
- Uganda
- Zimbabwe
- Australia