07 Feb Fikile Mqhayi: Souls and Shoes

Old shoes found in his neighbourhood, Delft, in Cape Town, are the subject matter of the most recent body of work created by Fikile during his participation in the Exchange, in partnership with Spier Arts Trust. This artist career-development programme culminated in the recent Assemblage group exhibition at the AVA Gallery.

The discarded shoes that appear in Fikile’s current works symbolize the souls of people both known and unknown. During a time of personal loss and grief, Fikile created these works, while puzzling together place and time, life and death, and personal insight on political and socio-economical matters. Essentially, these works in oil and acrylic are an empathetic rendering of the human condition.

Colour, line, texture, form and shape all hold symbolic association relating to Fikile’s insight and opinion on contemporary South Africa.

Isishumane (no one pays mind), 2017. Acrylic on canvas. 120 x 80cm.

A girlfriend in need is a friend indeed, 2017. Acrylic on canvas. 120 x 80cm.

Female + Male = Justice, 2017. Acrylic on canvas. 120 x 80cm.

Fighting an uphill battle without a presence, 2017. Acrylic on canvas. 120 x 80cm.

Fighting an uphill battle without a presence, 2017. Acrylic on canvas. 120 x 80cm.

Vezanyawo (RDP House), 2017. Acrylic on canvas. 120 x 80cm.

Success has many fathers, failure is an orphan, 2017. 120 x 80cm.

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