Of Soul and Joy

Inbetween exhibitions, talks, travel and interviews, there is always time for feedback sessions! 😍 @thandile , @jabulanipatdhlamini & @sibusiso_bheka hosted an intensive workshop this past week for the older students. The younger students have started their work on their film project with the infamous @cinema_tak3 and we CANNOT WAIT to share those details. 2025 has started off THRIVING and the year is only at infancy 🙏 Blessed and Humbled to be working on these projects and series of sessions with our #OSJ students. #photography #throughalens #storytelling #makingtheirmark #learning #thriving As always a huge shout out to @rubismecenat for ensuring possibilities for this project

Ndao Hanavao a eu le plaisir d'accueillir avec les jeunes de Bureau Pour l'Emploi de Graines de Bitume. Ils ont pu découvrir les techniques innovantes développées au lab et échanger avec les apprentis. Ces moments de partage sont essentiels pour construire un avenir meilleur ensemble. #NdaoHanavao #rubismécénat #vitogazmadagascar #GrainesDeBitume #Apprentissage #Échange #Transmission

Panelist Feature 📢 @constitution_hill @tauatswalalesole A multidisciplinary artist, curator, and writer born in Limpopo, South Africa, but based in Johannesburg. He is currently associated with Constitution Hill, where he serves as the coordinator of the #CreativeUprising Hub. Tauatswala's artistic and curatorial practice often explores themes related to identity, culture, and community, reflecting his interest in post-colonial narratives and creative expressions. Tauatswala has been involved in several notable projects, including the curation of the exhibition I Put My Hand On My Chest To Feel My Heartbeat at Constitution Hill. This exhibition celebrates 30 years of democracy in South Africa by showcasing the work of emerging photographers from Thokoza, highlighting personal and collective stories of the community through photography. In addition to his work at Constitution Hill, Tauatswala has participated in the 2021 Latitudes CuratorLab programme, where he curated an online exhibition titled LOCUS/LOCATION. This project reflects his interest in exploring memory and location as central themes in his curatorial practice. Tauatswala's contributions to the art world are marked by his commitment to empowering youth and fostering community development through creative projects. His work emphasizes the importance of storytelling and visual narratives in shaping cultural identity and understanding Join us this this Saturday 📅 01.03.2025 at 🕚 11.00 as we delve into discussions on how visual storytelling has evolved over three decades of South African democracy. #CreativeUprising @easigaspty @rubismecenat @constitution_hill @bashauhuru

Panelist Feature 📢 @constitution_hill Ruth Seopedi Motau was the first black woman photographer to be employed as a photo-editor, a position she held at the South African newspaper @mailandguardian from 1995 to 2002. She went on to work as photo-editor at The Sowetan from 2004 to 2008 and at @city_press from 2008 to 2010. Motau studied photography at the Market Photo Workshop from 1990 to 1993 and is best known for her portraits and for her insightful documentation of South African social and political life. Ruth Motau’s 25-year career has focused on diverse activities in the communities where she has lived, in Soweto and further afield. Her work includes the following projects: #Children; #Portraits; #Religions and #Rituals; #Music and #Culture; #HostelLife; #Pensioners; #Elections; On Assignment. She has participated in many exhibitions. They include: Ordinary People; Democracy’s Images; Faces solo Exhibition; Group Portrait (South Africa) Nine Family Histories; Visible Visions;  Black Looks White Myths; Colours; Biennale de Sao Paolo (Brazil); Biennale (Johannesburg); Women in Photography – Beijing; Not the Usual Suspect. Awards Women in the media  (SABC) 2001/2002 Rhodes University Alumni 2000/2001 Training Ruth Motau is also an experienced teacher and has trained and mentored many photojournalists and documentary photographers. She has worked with the Institute for Advanced Journalism’s Training the Trainers programme in Johannesburg; Photojournalism and Newspaper Design (Poynter Institute, Florida USA); Teaching… women and Photography ( Malawi) and Essentials of Newsroom Leadership Join us this this Saturday 📅 01.03.2025 at 🕚 11.00 as we delve into discussions on how visual storytelling has evolved over three decades of South African democracy. #CreativeUprising @easigaspty @rubismecenat @constitution_hill @bashauhuru

Panelist Feature 📢 @constitution_hill Nkululeko Khumalo Nkululeko Khumalo is a Printmaking Lecturer at the Vaal University of Technology and an independent art curator. Her academic and curatorial practice is deeply rooted in South African historical narratives, with a particular focus on the Vaal region. She holds a Master’s degree in Fine Art, specializing in Biographical and Curatorial Practice, from the University of the Witwatersrand. As an emerging archivist, Khumalo critically examines the complexities of contemporary African visual culture. Her curatorial work engages extensively with overlooked photographic archives and decolonial narratives within the framework of black radical thought, contributing to exhibitions across the African continent. Through her exploration of the Vaal’s cultural heritage, she amplifies its rich traditions and artistic expressions, establishing herself as a significant voice in contemporary curatorial discourse. Ms. Khumalo is also a Director of the Len Khumalo Foundation, based in the Sedibeng region. Her curatorial projects emphasize educational outcomes, engaging with archival materials, photographic restoration, and documentary practices as part of her broader creative and scholarly output. She has played a pivotal role in preserving and showcasing the works of photojournalists, photographers, and journalists, particularly focusing on the untold stories of her father, Len Khumalo, and other key historical figures in South African visual culture. Her Master’s research illuminated the rich history of the Vaal region, a body of knowledge she continues to develop into significant literature to ensure its accessibility to future generations. Join us this this Saturday 📅 01.03.2025 at 🕚 11.00 as we delve into discussions on how visual storytelling has evolved over three decades of South African democracy. #CreativeUprising @easigaspty @rubismecenat @constitution_hill @bashauhuru

Les bénéficiaires de Ndao Hanavao mettent en pratique leur cours de design et leur cours d'outils de conception graphique. Grâce à notre pédagogie 360, ils développent des compétences précieuses pour leur avenir, dont la conception de supports de communication sur le projet de valorisation des algues invasives en papier. #ndaohanavao #rubismecenat #innovation #Empoweringyouth #Vitogazmadagascar #madagascar #SocialDesign

Rubis Mécénat a invité Richianny Ratovo à animer un workshop auprès des bénéficiaires du projet Ndao Hanavao. L'artiste malgache explorera les possibilités créatives du papier innovant à base d'algues invasives, développé avec Samuel Tomatis. Une opportunité pour les apprentis de développer leurs compétences et de s'exprimer à travers l'art. #NdaoHanavao #RubisMécénat #VitogazMadagascar #RichiannyRatovo #SamuelTomatis #SocialDesign #EmpoweringYouth #ContemporaryArt #malagasyartist

▪️I Put My Hand On My Chest To Feel My Heart Beat▪️ "I hope to inspire other young Basotho speakers with a sense of pride and courage to fiercely embrace their culture and fight against the trend of isiZulu assimilation in order to ensure its continued existence." 🟦 @fuwe_sa 🗓 01.02 - 31.03.2025 📍@constitution_hill ⏰️ 11:00 - 15:00 #CreativeUprising @rubismecenat @easigaspty @bashauhuru

▪️I Put My Hand On My Chest To Feel My Heart Beat▪️ IMBALI 🌸 🗓 01.02 - 31.03.2025 📍@constitution_hill ⏰️ 11:00 - 15:00 #CreativeUprising @rubismecenat @easigaspty @bashauhuru

📢ARTIST FEATURE 📷 Thepiso Mazibuko @intombazane_ethatha_izithombe 🎨 Artist Statement: "The images I have selected to be part of the exhibition are taken from previously created bodies of work, namely “gone & there” and “between spaces”. The choice of these images lies in the idea of looking back in both a literal and figurative sense. Photography is often associated with memory or referencing, now with contemporary photography the coined term is “ukuzilanda”, and the only way to do that is to look back. My starting place has always been my late Grandmother, my yearning for her presence manifests itself in the photography presented, visual poetry, it’s neither this or that." Where does your inspiration come from? ▶️ Swipe for more! 🗓 01.02 - 31.03.2025 ⏰️ 11:00 - 15:00 📍@constitution_hill #CreativeUprising #VisitConHill @bashauhuru @rubismecenat @easigaspty

📢ARTIST FEATURE 📷 Lehlohonolo Sigaba @Lehlohonolo 🎨 Artist Statement: "I am a person who comes from a spiritual background, whereby we have spiritual healers, prophets. I have always had the dark side in me where, in my younger age I had nightmares, dark dreams that would come to life. As I grew up they came to me visually while I was looking. They came in the most terrifying way, scary, dark and they are always not alone. They come with a certain feeling before I see it, a heavy pump of a heart, cold breeze which might make you shake, deep dark feeling inside you pointing at its direction and that’s when you know it is around.  Last year it was different, last year I was visited by a bright light. When I saw it I thought it was GOD because I felt its holiness, power and I had a strong feeling telling me so, I was also in fear. When I told my family I was told it was GOD’s messenger not GOD. I believed that because the way it came to me made sense to what they said. In this project I am focusing on the sensitivity of the bright light which came during the dark time and not only just that, I am also focusing on I exploring my spirituality through my spiritual encounters and my existence on this journey. I photograph at night to achieve my images by using light painting outdoors and indoors." How do you get through dark spaces? ▶️ Swipe for more! 🗓 01.02 - 31.03.2025 ⏰️ 11:00 - 15:00 📍@constitution_hill #CreativeUprising #VisitConHill @bashauhuru @rubismecenat @easigaspty

📢ARTIST FEATURE 📷 Thembinkosi Hlatshwayo @Thembinkosih15 🎨 Artist Statement: "From an ongoing body of work titled Umnyakazo, this series of photographs focus on the bad ways we love - the other and ourselves... Inspired by Yrsa Daley-Ward's poem ‘when it is but it ain't" What are the good and bad ways you love? ▶️ Swipe for more! 🗓 01.02 - 31.03.2025 ⏰️ 11:00 - 15:00 📍@constitution_hill #CreativeUprising #VisitConHill @bashauhuru @rubismecenat @easigaspty

📢ARTIST FEATURE 📷 Vuyo Mabheka @vuyo_mabheka 🎨 Artist Statement: "Popihuise is an ongoing project which explores childhood memories and experiences on the absence of a father figure and the impact of not having a stable home. I explore the absence of a father figure through my subjective experience of the infamous tragedy amongst black families. We used to move around a lot. My Mom assumed the role of a provider and as a result I hardly saw her at home, so I had to look after my younger sibling on a daily basis. To adapt, I then began to build new relationships for however long my stay was going to be, part of the process, I adopted chameleon tendencies and perhaps lost the ‘self’. My primary objective is to create a dialog on the impact of not having a stable home and the dysfunctional dynamics that come with it. The work confronts the past and present through an ongoing search of home in a sense of belonging and personal identity, means of establishing a sense of ‘true self’, if such exists. I use the dollhouse as a reference to my family’s history, photographing random people, drawing and a few images of myself as a kid from a family archive to create a dioramic collage of scenes inspired by memory and fantasy, an intent to maintain balance between memories and childhood fantasies. ‘Popihuise’ is an Afrikaans term for a Dollhouse." How do you showcase "self"? ▶️ Swipe for more! 🗓 01.02 - 31.03.2025 ⏰️ 11:00 - 15:00 📍@constitution_hill #CreativeUprising #VisitConHill @bashauhuru @rubismecenat @easigaspty

📢ARTIST FEATURE 📷 Xolani Ngubeni 🎨 Artist Statement: "I was born and raised in Katlehong, east of Johannesburg, South Africa. It has been over 2 years developing this body of work and it is still a continuous project, although it feels like a beginning but I am enjoying every moment of it. I never thought of raising a girl child in my life – it has been nothing but joy and happiness; that is why I started this project which is titled” IMBALI” and that means a flower. A flower for me symbolises beauty, growth, change. That is how I see my daughter – she is beautiful, growing and changing like a flower. This project is about her journey growing up and the changes we face, including me understanding how to raise and protect her. In this body of work, I share my experience as a present father and I also acknowledge the presence of her mother and the love she brings in helping raise our daughter. My goals are to heal from the trauma of not having a father and be motivated to grow IMBALI to her full potential. I use fine art and conceptual photography to best describe my own experience of being a present father to my daughter. My objective is to express the emotions of trauma, support, protection, love, hardships, happiness, and playfulness I experience with her. You will see a lot of pink through the images which is her favourite colour." How do you show up for your IMBALI? ▶️ Swipe for more! 🗓 01.02 - 31.03.2025 ⏰️ 11:00 - 15:00 📍@constitution_hill #CreativeUprising #VisitConHill @bashauhuru @rubismecenat @easigaspty

📢ARTIST FEATURE 📷 Zwelibanzi Zwane @mzwecha 🎨 Artist Statement: "My ongoing project, “Maybe I Belong among the Stars,” boldly explores the themes of fantasy, memory, alienation, and belonging. Growing up in a society that demanded toughness to survive, my sensitive nature, which was considered a weakness, always left me feeling like an outsider, an outcast and a frequent target of bullying, which eventually made it very difficult for me to fit in or belong in the environment I was raised in. However, I've always refused to conform to society’s standards and coped with the struggle by seeking refuge within a fantasy world of my own, adapting to a coping mechanism, as an attempt to fill the void. My fascination with the deep sea, its mysteries, and being a source of wonder to me inspired the visual appearance of my images, which all images are Photoshop-based processes. Now, I invite the viewer into my fantasy world - a place that I once kept a secret and have hidden myself in, but now I boldly express through my work. This project is a reminder of the importance of staying true to oneself and rejecting societal expectations, even in difficult situations. And entirely with this project, I am reclaiming my superpower, my sensitivity, which is not a weakness, and I am also encouraging others to do the same through this project." What did you once struggle with, that you now see as your super power? ▶️ Swipe for more! 🗓 01.02 - 31.03.2025 ⏰️ 11:00 - 15:00 📍@constitution_hill #CreativeUprising #VisitConHill @bashauhuru @rubismecenat @easigaspty

📢ARTIST FEATURE 📷 Tadiwa Mkono @teddyy_tee7 🎨 Artist Statement: Groot-klip. "After the death of my father, my Grandfather assumed the father role in my life, I think I reminded him of his son. In the community I come from, the populalon of female elders is outweighed by that of male elders. With this project, I aim to use photography as means to highlight the significance of such figures - ‘Grandfathers ‘. Even if the make-up of this population is small, I have been photographing the Grandfathers in my community. To me, this project is a tribute to my Grandfather and, I photograph them with the same sensitivity used to photograph my Grandad. Hopefully, documening them through a photograph, they willlive forever." How do you celebrate the father figure in your life? ▶️ Swipe for more! 🗓 01.02 - 31.03.2025 ⏰️ 11:00 - 15:00 📍@constitution_hill #CreativeUprising #VisitConHill @bashauhuru @rubismecenat @easigaspty