Turiya Magadlela – Uchazwa yini (What’s Your Fascination), a solo exhibition by renowned South African artist Turiya Magadlela, opens on Thursday, 31st October from 5-7pm. at THK Gallery Cape Town.
This exhibition marks an exciting new chapter in Magadlela’s career as she expands her practice to include painting in her signature textile works.
Turiya Magadlela (b. 1978) is known for her innovative use of textiles to confront the pressing social issues surrounding race, gender, and identity. Through the manipulation of materials such as nylon pantyhose, correctional service uniforms, and prison sheets, she weaves a narrative that speaks to the complexities of South Africa’s history and the global struggles of marginalised communities.
Luna I & II, 2024
In this exhibition, Magadlela continues to explore these themes, using her powerful textile practice alongside her newfound exploration of painting to create visually arresting works that push the boundaries of abstraction. The combination of painting and textiles introduces a new texture and depth to her storytelling, offering fresh insights into her ongoing examination of femininity, discrimination, and the intimate politics of the body.
Her use of pantyhose—often stretched, sewn, and layered—becomes a metaphor for skin, identity, and the societal pressures exerted on the body, specifically the Black female body.
Magadlela is a graduate of the University of Johannesburg and the prestigious Rijksakademie in Amsterdam, Magadlela has garnered international acclaim since winning the FNB Art Prize in 2015. She has exhibited widely at art fairs from Armory Show in New York to major group exhibitions like Blue Black at the Pulitzer Arts Foundation, curated by Glenn Ligon. Her works are recognised for their ability to challenge traditional notions of craft while offering a deeply personal yet universally resonant commentary on the intersections of race, gender, and labour.
WHAT: Turiya Magadlela – Uchazwa yin
WHERE: THK Gallery Cape Town, 52 Waterkant Street, Cape Town 8001
WHEN: Opening Thursday 31 October 2024 |  Gallery Hours Tues to Fri 10h00 – 18h00 Sat 10h00 – 14h00
INFO: T 021 470 0178 | E office@thkgallery.com | VISIT
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