Yonela Makoba for Kwantlandlolo: Tangerine Prays Orms circle selected artist, Tangerine Water, makes a memorable artistic debut
In 2019, Tangerine Water, more commonly-known as Yonela Makoba, beat out hundreds of talented entrants when they were announced the winner of the Orms Circle Mentorship and Residency. After months of preparation, Makoba made an artistic debut at the solo exhibition, titled Kwantlandlolo: Tangerine Prays for Tabula Rasa, which, according to Makoba, explores the idea of renewal and rebirth. Growing up in the small town of Mthatha in the Eastern Cape, graduating with a BSc in Environmental and Geographical sciences at the University of Cape Town(UCT), and later going on to pursue a career in the arts has caused Makoba to confront and explore different sides of them self.
THE MAKING OF ‘KWANTLANDLOLO'
It is these polarizing identities that inspired them to break-free and seek ‘tabula rasa’ - an existence where one is not influenced or informed by past experiences – a clean slate. The opening night of the exhibition saw Makoba expressing their desire for the neutrality of consciousness through a performance art piece in which the artist appeared nude (as if born-again) and chanted prayers which spoke of reincarnation and renewal. The exhibition also included several photographic art works (which were sold to a well-known, South African artist on the night) and a life-size sculpture of the artist’s physical form.
BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE MAKING OF ‘KWANTLANDLOLO' Recognized art curator, Anelisa Mangcu was tasked with the important job of co-curating and guiding Makoba as they took up their residency and went about putting together their first solo exhibition. Of the experience and the exhibition, Mangcu says: “It was an absolute pleasure working so closely with Yonela. Whether it was during the studio visits, or unpacking [their] intention with the performance piece, telephonically. The best feedback I got from the audience is that the overall show made them feel deeply. I think I can speak on behalf of Yonela and say that was all [they] wanted. [They] wanted the audience to feel safe enough to immerse themselves in the body of work fully and deeply.”
Kwantlandlolo: Tangerine Prays for Tabula Rasa, an exhibition by Yonela Makoba and co-curated by Anelisa Mangcu, will be open from Monday to Friday between 9AM and 5PM and Saturday between 10AM and 2PM, until 22 February 2020 at FORM, 56 Roeland Street, Cape Town (opposite Raptor Room).
WATCH: Behind The Scenes of Kwantlandlolo
