Boyce Magandela
Solo Exhibition

Closing April 30th

Boyce Magandela is a deft draftsman, an artist who can infuse life in his subject. He has his own, unique approach to the art of embroidery, sketching with stitches in brightly colored threads.

Recently he visited the Keiskama Art Project in the Northern Cape, where a group of artisans live who are famous for their tapestries that tell the stories of Africa.
His tapestries/thread/ paintings have become increasingly rich in texture and display greater creative freedom since his immersive experience with the Keiskama Art Project.

In Boyce Magandela’s words:

 “But now, with these works, I decided to work with men on blanket. There are many types of blankets that are used in our culture as a symbol of reaching another stage of life meaning, from being a boy to be a man and I’m trying to show the challenges men go through.
The check blanket is given by the elders when they welcome a new man as one of them. With this body of works I’m putting my experience and the journey of being a man.”

Blankets play a significant role in African culture. The Basotho blanket, for example. is ‘wrapped in history’. Sanlam curated an exhibition ‘Sutha Ke Fete’ meaning ‘Make way so I may pass’ highlighting the symbolic meaning of the Basotho blanket exploring its role in Lesotho’s national identity and contemporary cultural practices.

The fact that these woolen blankets are worn has influenced the modern S A fashion industry.  Boyce occasionally uses the traditional blankets as canvas for his stitched narratives, but generally chooses the checked fabric, Symbols and metaphors are apparent in his use and application of the patterned ground.