To look for the light in even the darkest times is one thing, and to shine in the darkness is another. One Capetonian artist brings both to the conversation, transforming these metaphors into visual works!
Cape Town, South Africa (12 September 2024) — Many of us have heard numerous reinterpretations of the metaphor that asks us to look for the light even in the darkest times. But seeing that sentiment visually is an entirely different experience and one that Mitchell’s Plain artist Sandile Ashar Mhlongo has quite literally, brought to light.
Born in Gugulethu and a resident of Mitchell’s Plain’s Lost City, Sandile’s art career began in high school in the late 1980s. With an Impressionist’s fascination of real-life experiences, Sandile created works about his family’s experiences. Inspired by his father, who was both an artist and a bricklayer, Sandile has carried the artistic baton, earning praise for his visually striking depictions of everyday life infused with a touch of the surreal.
Sandile merges the real and the surreal and pierces through the literalism of metaphors in his latest collection,’Lights in Darkness, Darkness in Light’. Here, the overarching message is to choose to look at light, even in the darkest times, informed by the artist’s keen observations of South Africa’s changing landscape and the ever curious interplay between hope and despair from a Capetonian’s perspective.
“There’s good and bad in the dark. Choose light. Shine, shine your light in the dark and you will find all you are looking for.”—Sandile Ashar Mhlongo.
‘Lights in Darkness, Darkness in Light’ will be showcased as part of a solo exhibition by House Union Block (HUB) at the Cape Heritage’s Sisonke Gallery on Bree Street until 27 October, and all hoping to be inspired to find the light no matter the darkness are encouraged to pop in.
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