The Roots to Wings exhibition at Artyli Gallery in Nelson Mandela Square
01 July 2023

Throughout history art has simultaneously been an imperative cultural catalyst for change and a necessity for the human spirit that fosters individual solace and collective contemplation. Contemporary art and art spaces are increasingly emerging as the locus for critical conversations ranging from liberation to intersectional injustices, all of which have been conjured through avant-garde representations of complex realities.

The ‘Roots to Wings’ exhibition will commence on the 10th of June 2023 and conclude on the 27th of July 2023, at Artyli Gallery situated in Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton. The group exhibition will feature an array of exceptionally talented emerging and established artists, such as Andrew Ntshabele, Daniel ‘Stompie’ Selibe, Frans Thoka, Sanusi Olatunji, Restone Maambo, Ludumo Maqabuka, Teboho Makaotsa, Toni Anne Ballenden, Fumani Maluleke, Solomon Omogboye, Morgan Mahape and renowned sculptural artist Anton Smit.
The featured artists have utilised the unrelenting essence of visual art to offer social commentary on a multitude of socio-political and economic issues currently plaguing South African society and the broader African continent. More notably, these artists elucidate the importance of safeguarding cultural heritage, African identity, and the need to heal from oppressive histories. These artists have endeavoured on a unique path of activism through a profoundly introspective art practice that has captured the intricacies of human semblance and the human condition.

The title of the exhibition, ‘Roots to Wings’ is an honorary metaphor for creative becoming. It embodies the pilgrimage of those trials that constitute artistry. The exhibition speaks on the unseen rhizomatic beginnings of each artist, to the liminal spaces of their struggle and to the final culmination of their artistic prowess. This is an exhibition of testimony - documenting the artists’ young visionary departures and long-awaited arrival.

The exhibition will include performances of poetic narration of selected artworks by four Johannesburg-based poets, in addition to the poetry of Kabelo Mofokeng, who be launching his new poetry book titled ‘Hungry on Arrival’. Mofokeng’s poems draw from language, tradition, and rural stories, and pay homage to those artists and poets of colour who have paved the way for younger generations aspiring to enter the realms of art and literature.

Join us in celebrating the synergy between art and poetry on Saturday the 10th of June. The exhibition opening promises a scintillating ambience of art and spoken word, accompanied by offerings of wine and cheese. You do not want to miss it!

Artyli Gallery is a vibrant contemporary African Art Gallery, based in Nelson Mandela Square in Johannesburg, South Africa. We exhibit and sell artwork created by a variety of artists who are at different stages in their careers. Predominantly we represent mid-career to established contemporary African artists. Our gallery showcases original artwork including painting, drawing, mixed media artworks, limited edition prints, sculpture, and ceramics. We aim to facilitate the opportunity for contemporary African artists to exhibit and sell both through our gallery as well as on our own digital platform as well as the artsy platform. Both our online platform and artsy create opportunities for collectors from the global community to purchase artwork. Artyli Gallery regularly ships artwork to global destinations.

Please feel free to browse our website for more information: https://www.artyli.com/.