16 ON LEROTHOLI: Natural Habitat
February 6, 2023
Everard Read are delighted to invite you to view ‘Natural Habitat’ at 16 on Lerotholi in Langa, Cape Town.
We are thrilled to announce our partnership with 16 on Lerotholi, who share our vision of a gallery as an oasis for the communities it serves. At the core of the Everard Read ethos is a belief that participation in and enjoyment of the arts are a crucial part of a holistic existence.
As the creator of a space which uses art as an essential tool to foster understanding, empathy and solidarity within the Langa community, 16 on Lerotholi director and co-owner Mpilo Ngcukana explains that his vision for the gallery is to redefine the African Dream by empowering African artists with a platform that is invested in their artistic development.
Langa, the oldest township in the Western Cape, is celebrating a centenary since its establishment. 16 on Lerotholi contributes to this dynamic 21st century hub, which spins on its own axis as it interacts with the rest of the city on its own terms. Adjoining a coffee shop and restaurant, the gallery’s involvement with the established community garden next door shows promise in integrating local produce into the farm-to-table economy, adding another layer to their already ambitious vision.
Everard Read has embarked on an exchange of skills, ideas and artworks, committing to four collaborative exhibitions over the course of this year, ‘Natural Habitat’ being the first. Ngcukana has curated the exhibition, drawing from our artists who have offered unerring support of the project. Included in ‘Natural Habitat’ are Blessing Ngobeni, Daniel ‘Kgomo’ Morolong, Ignatius Mokone, Boemo Diale, Nandipha Mntambo, Phillemon Hlungwani, Setlamorago Mashilo, Speelman Mahlangu and Vusi Khumalo.
Natural Habitat
‘Natural Habitat’ is a group exhibition presented at 16 on Lerotholi in collaboration with Everard Read, featuring the works of 10 artists: Blessing Ngobeni, Boemo Diale, Daniel ‘Kgomo’ Morolong, Ignatius Mokone, Mongezi Gum, Nandipha Mntambo, Phillemon Hlungwani, Setlamorago Mashilo, Speelman Mahlangu and Vusi Khumalo.
‘Natural Habitat’ serves to explore the theme of life as African people, as well as the land and spaces we occupy.
Through the individual lens of each artist, the artworks in the exhibition draw inspiration from surroundings that are familiar to the artists, such as Langa Township. The exhibition also seeks to assert that Langa is as natural a habitat as any to view contemporary expressions of African life, and asks whether or not this adds value and a deeper contextual understanding for the viewer.
The creative process of each of the artworks is deeply rooted in its geography and, in some instances, locations similar to Langa Township. The ambitions of making the exhibition space in Langa a ‘natural habitat’ for the artworks suggests a broader consciousness of art, from idea to creation to consumption – a visually striking exploration of the relationship between art, the artist and the surrounding environment.
‘Natural Habitat’ invites the viewer to consider the role of immediate context in the appreciation and understanding of art.
Gallery Blurb | 16 on Lerotholi
16 on Lerotholi is a space that uses art as an essential tool to foster understanding, empathy and solidarity within the Langa community, in South Africa at large, within the African continent and beyond. Additionally, the space showcases the brilliant powerhouses of creativity that the continent gives rise to. The vision of the gallery is to redefine the African Dream by empowering African artists with a platform that is invested in their artistic development and commercialisation.
