Mind your language

by

Ntobeko Mjijwa

“Language is sensitive. It can be dangerous and we should be more careful with how we use it. This is particularly evident when one browses around on social media platforms. It can lead to violence and even war. Is that really what we want?” says Ntobeko Mjijwa.

This exhibition consists of five paintings that depict elements of violence with text juxtaposed against sign language, a form of communication that is not considered to be as violent as verbal expressions. However, sign language is incorporated as shorthand for expressions on social media platforms, where the “Like” button is an important feature. Merely liking a post can lead to violent verbal responses because you are now assumed to be a type of a person or belong to a group of people who believe a certain ideology.

The paintings are painted in an energetic and chaotic style that symbolises this violence and features relevant text and apparatus of war.

The exhibition can be viewed at www.worldart./// from 18 March at 5pm. The paintings can also be viewed at the WORLDART gallery situated at 54 Church Street in the Cape Town cbd.              

Ntobeko Mjijwa (b. 1986) was born in Knysna and lives and works in Cape Town.

He completed a Baccalaureus Technologiae in Fine Arts degree at the Nelson Mandela University in 2017 and has since lectured at the African Christian University in Lusaka and now works for an NGO at the University of Cape Town. Mjijwa has participated in a number of group exhibitions and had his first solo exhibition in 2018 at the Ann Bryan Gallery in East-London, South Africa.

More information:    Charl Bezuidenhout  |  charl@worldart.co.za   |   +27 21 423 3075