Proposal:
Ever since I was a child my Artworks has used revealing aspects of history, which have a profound impact on our contemporary traditional culture today. In the current society where many believe history has no relevance, I find myself continually returning to those aspects that are often hidden or misrepresented in the modern day society.
As an Artist I usually focus on the stories that I grew up being surrounded with and the power of the African culture of the Tsonga people together with their sense of fashion. My inspiration comes deep down from my own identity as an African. I usually express my thoughts about things through my Art which is also my way of telling rural stories to urban society in this way I also express my identity who I am as a person and not forgetting where I come from as well..
As a child I grew up in the rural village where there was more to Art, culture and religion and these things were depicted in all the activities that were done in our daily lives, it became a part of who I am as an Artist. My xibelani dance Artwork shows a traditional Tsonga event where woman gather to celebrate the surnames and clans, these events using called “Va n’wa swimani mani”. These events are usually attended by woman as u can see only woman depicted dancing on the Artwork. However the are other events where both men and women gather to celebrate.
Art remains as a strong contender of how we share our thoughts and ideas. Throughout history, art has survived the tidal wave of information, and remains an unpredictable source of both imagination and reality for example my Artwork titled “mother’s comfort”, I’m telling a story of the role woman play in our society as the ones that take care of our households and our kids always feel safe and well taken care of whenever they are around, this Artwork shows a mother carrying a child on her back and the child is sleeping peacefully.
On the Artwork titled “African girl” I’m telling the every day morning story of the life and roles the woman play in our society and these also include the challenges they face, as you can see the girl is from the river she’s carrying a bucket of water and it have become unpleasant to her as you can see on her face she doesn’nt look happy but on the positive note she’s looking forward to a new day as I have used the bright colours to depict a beautiful morning on the Artwork.
The use of materials in my work is mainly acrylic paint on canvas, these paints allows me to experiment more using different colours and I can clearly paint the colour blocking African colours particularly African outfits
Biography:
Ntshembo Shiviti is a contemporary realist painter born in Giyani in Limpopo, he lives and work as a full time professional Artist in Johannesburg, South Africa. An African Tsonga Artist, he’s colorful paintings pay homage to his homeland. His distinctive personal style emanates joy and peace and expresses the vibrant spirit and atmosphere of the Tsonga Traditional culture.
Pictures of woman wearing Tsonga outfits and traditional huts as the backgroud landscapes, African jewelleries and flowers, musical instruments, and people dancing with joyful smiles are all brought to life with contrasting and harmonious colors and bold compositions. Shiviti focus on his journey of visual story telling
As a child he realized his talent and passion for Arts at the age of 7. From a young age he has believed, “You can create anything once you see it in your mind and our rural stories need to be told through Arts”. He obtained a National Diploma in Fine Arts and Ceramics from the University of Johannesburg in 2010. His Art have evolved over the years as he started working from pencil, charcoal on papers and now working predominantly using acrylic paints on canvas.
Shiviti’s artworks have been shown in exhibitions in South Africa including“Ekurhuleni Northern Region” which was the first Exhibition in Ekurhuleni Northern Region in 2018. He also exhibited in “They are the stars” Show at Houghton Kyanite Blue Art Gallery in Johannesburg. In 2019 Shiviti exhibited in Touch of Genius Gallery in Randburg in an exhibition title “The Beginning” Afrocentric themes
He exhibited in “Dancing with my Father” in Kyanite Blue again in 2019. Shiviti works as a full time Professional Artist in Johannesburg.
WORKS:
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Artist: Ntshembo Shiviti Title: Xibelani Dance, 2017 Medium: Acrylic on canvas Size: H:900 W:700 D: Edition:0 Price:R10.000 |
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Artist: Ntshembo Shiviti Title: African Girl, 2017 Medium: acrylic on canvas Size: H:750 W:600 D: Edition:0 Price:R7.000 |
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Artist: Ntshembo Shiviti Title: Xigubu Dance, 2018 Medium: Acrylic on canvas Size: H:850 W:600 D: Edition:0 Price:R7.000 |
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Artist: Ntshembo Shiviti Title: Traditional Drummer, 2018 Medium: Acrylic on canvas Size: H:850 W:600 D: Edition:0 Price:R7.000 |
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Artist: Ntshembo Shiviti Title: African Queen, 2018 Medium: Acrylic on canvas Size: H:850 W:600 D: Edition:0 Price:R7.000 |
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Artist: Ntshembo Shiviti Title: Herd Boy, 2018 Medium: Acrylic on canvas Size: H:600 W:450 D: Edition:0 Price:R5.000 |