Turiya Magadlela's Pantyhose Works Gain Recognition Through Personal Abstraction
From 2015 to 2017, Turiya Magadlela experienced significant artistic growth, particularly in her choice of materials. At the FNB Joburg Art Fair in 2015, she displayed prison beds, an installation that did not resonate with audiences as much as her pantyhose creations, winning the FNB prize awarded by Bisi Silva and Koyo Kouoh. A pivotal moment occurred in September 2017 at Blank Projects in Cape Town, where her refined pantyhose works were featured. The series 'My womb is at fault' (2015) expressed bodily pain through translucent black fabric, while her 2017 piece 'Sithanda Ubuhlungu...' honors femininity. Magadlela focuses on personal narratives rather than political themes, having held six solo exhibitions and participated in significant group shows, including 'Looking Back… Moving Forward' at Constitution Hill, Johannesburg.
Key facts
- Turiya Magadlela was the FNB prizewinner at the FNB Joburg Art Fair in 2015.
- Her early installation featured prison beds and institutional sheeting.
- Curators Bisi Silva and Koyo Kouoh judged the FNB prize.
- A September 2017 show at Blank Projects in Cape Town marked a turning point in her work.
- She creates abstract works by stretching cut-and-stitched nylon pantyhose over canvas.
- Her series 'My womb is at fault' dates from 2015.
- Magadlela states her work derives from personal experiences, not intentional political commentary.
- She has had six solo exhibitions and participated in multiple group shows including at the Pulitzer Arts Foundation.
Entities
Artists
- Turiya Magadlela
- Sue Williamson
- Bisi Silva
- Koyo Kouoh
- Darryl Atwell
Institutions
- FNB Joburg Art Fair
- Blank Projects
- Johannesburg Art Gallery
- Museum Africa
- Pulitzer Arts Foundation
- Gantt Center
- Constitution Hill
- ArtReview
- K11 Art Foundation
Locations
- Johannesburg
- South Africa
- Cape Town
- St Louis
- United States
- Charlotte