Exhibition Opening: 'Resilience' by Llewellyn Mnguni in collaboration with Travys Owen
Thu Mar 25, 18:00 - Sat Mar 27, 15:00
Kalashnikovv Gallery
ABOUT
Kalashnikovv Gallery is pleased to present the ‘Resilience‘, a performance art and photographic exhibition by artist Llewellyn Mnguni in collaboration with Travys Owen.
Date (1st Performance): Thursday, 25 March 2021
Time: 6pm Opening / 7pm Performance
Admission Cost: R80.00 (only 50 tickets available)
Date: (2nd Performance): Saturday, 27 March 2021
Time: 11am Opening / 12pm Performance
Admission Cost: R80.00 (only 50 tickets available)
Resilience tells the true and complicated story of Mnguni as a South African born and raised man who dealt with the Setswana cultural dealings and restrictions in a fast-growing modern country, fresh out of the brutal era of apartheid. Being gay and an artist created obstacles due to the influences of society whereby the identity of man is consistently under siege, misrepresented and always under scrutiny. Inevitably the stories of the LGBTQIA+ community in settings such as this, are not shared often.
This work shines the light on people in the community who are different and don’t fit into the typical norm of society, it is based on facets of gender expression and cultural identity, tackling the issues whereby there is an ongoing phenomenon, where members of the LGBTQIA+ community perish unnecessarily because of hate. The work also allows the body to see itself in its most beautiful form and presence.
The work originally started being workshopped in the setting of South Africa. Dealing with socio-political, personal and artistic challenges or issues surrounded by being a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. Llewellyn Mnguni started choreographing this dance work as a solo that was part of the 'MINA/MEG' exhibition in Oslo at the Museum of Cultural History during the 2016 Oslo Gay Pride Festival, in collaboration with visual artist / activist Zanele Muholi.
This exhibition was about self-representation / realisation in the context of the LGBTQIA+ community, whereby this community continuously fights against hate crimes and demoralisation. The artists participated in a workshop with Muholi where they captured themselves with cameras in their most natural and most true state, this ultimately practising a valuable lesson of self-love and self-acceptance, before seeking acceptance from others. This body of work features music by Aux Alaio and costumes by BAM Collective.
For more information and to request the exhibition catalogue, please contact the gallery at [email protected].