South African art about freedom and self-determination

The Marta Herford Museum of Art, Architecture and Design will open the exhibition We just want to be closer - Singarum J. Moodley and Neo I. Matloga on 24 October 2021 in the Lippold Gallery, showing works by the South African artists Singarum J. Moodley and Neo I. Matloga. Having grown up under the apartheid regime, Moodley's photographs from the 1970s and 1980s do not reveal political images of resistance. Rather, his studio portraits show an intercultural society and reveal longing, pride, playfulness and defiance - feelings that are also recognisable in Matloga's collaged paintings. Unlike Moodley, Matloga grew up after the end of apartheid, but both are aware of the racist, divisive and forced structures that the colonial era brought to their country and address these subtly yet forcefully in their work. Visitors can view the impressive narrative about freedom and self-determination until 13 February 2022.

Singarum Jeevaruthnam Moodley (1922-1987) was born in the South African province of KwaZulu Natal and opened a photo studio in 1957, which was considered a retreat for the anti-apartheid movement, among others. His photographs show traditional as well as western pop culture and offer an impressive insight into the private life of non-white South Africa during apartheid. In addition, Moodley's photographs expand the history of traditional studio portraiture in Africa. Born in Mamaila, South Africa in 1993, Neo Image Matloga creates collaged paintings using ink, charcoal and photographs of friends, family members and famous South African personalities. He mainly depicts hybrids whose faces are striking with oversized eyes, ears and mouths, abruptly changing skin tones and hairstyles. Breaking through conventional concepts of identity and gender, he addresses everyday life in black households in South Africa and deals with social and political issues of the past and present.