BY Nkosazana Ngwadla
On Thursday night, 26-year-old visual artist Masonwabo Ntloko took Johannesburg down a visually gripping journey when he held his first ever painting solo exhibition “ILISO LO MOYA” inspired by the richness of his spiritual nuances and Xhosa heritage.
Earlier this month, Masonwabe and Katmo Gallery announced their collaboration aimed at providing art and design enthusiasts the opportunity to witness Masonwabe’s latest projects. His previous exhibition was of his rug collection “Ilifa Lethu” in collaboration with Airloom.
Iliso lomoya directly translates to “the Eye of the spirit”. This body of work focuses on his spiritual growth and experience of the world around him. The month-long exhibition explores themes of identity, transformation, healing, and the power of the human spirit it.
It features his paintings, and mixed media works that explore his journey into self-discovery and spiritual enlightenment. The artworks showcase the artist’s use of colour texture, and form to create a visually and emotionally charged and stimulating experience for the viewer. At the core of the exhibition is Masonwabe’s personal stories of spiritual exploration and growth, which he hopes will resonate with viewers and provide them with insight into their own journey self-discovery.
Through the use of various artistic mediums, Masonwabe hopes to create an immersive experience that encourages viewers to deflect on their own lives and to seek out their own inner truths.
Many people have fallen in love with the young artist’s work, and admire his talent, including American singer-songwriter and actress, Kelly Rowland. In December 2022, while Kelly was visiting South Africa, she couldn’t help but stop at the studio with Masonwabe’s work and celebrate his work.
