Fresh from winning the prestigious Absa L’Atelier Gerard Sekoto Award, artist Phoka Nyokong presents his latest exhibition, confrontation, at Gallery MOMO in Parktown North, Johannesburg. Opening on 2 November and running until 15 December 2024, this thought-provoking body of work explores the complex relationship between African and Western cultural heritage.
Through masterful oil paintings, Nyokong examines the ongoing dialogue about African artefacts in Western museums, weaving together elements of traditional African sculpture with Western painting techniques. His work creates a unique visual language that questions historical narratives and cultural ownership.
The exhibition’s deliberately lowercase title, confrontation, reflects Nyokong’s subtle challenge to established hierarchies in the art world, inviting viewers to question how cultural heritage is preserved and presented.
“These new paintings are a continuation of my personal interpretation of traditions associated with forms of Western painting and antique African sculpture,” says Nyokong. “Through this work, I aim to initiate conversation between history and present, exploring what new possibilities might emerge.”
Nyokong’s artistic journey began in 2007 as a writer of poetry and plays before he transitioned to visual arts in 2011. His multidisciplinary background enriches his current work, incorporating references to literature, cinema, and theatre to create richly layered narratives.
