August is National Women’s Month in South Africa in commemoration of the Women’s March that took place on the 9th of August 1956 in Pretoria where 20,000 women took to the Union Buildings to protest against the proposed amendments to the Urban Areas Act under apartheid law. The Urban Areas Act required black women to carry passes that documented the reason for their presence in urban areas.
Now more than 60 years later Gallery MOMO is proud to announce its exhibition titled “FOREWOMEN,” showcasing the unique perspectives of five emerging women artists: Mbali Tshabalala, Tshepiso Moropa, Farhana Jacobs, Samantha Maseko and Lerato Nkosi. This exhibition opened on the 15th of August and will run throughout Women’s Month concluding on the 14th of September 2024. This exhibition is in celebration of the creative brilliance and bold narratives of these women artists. “FOREWOMEN” is an exhibition that redefines and enriches contemporary art through the lens of its talented participants. The title, a play on the word “forewoman,” signifies women who are at the forefront of artistic innovation and cultural dialogue. These artists are not merely participants in the art world; they are visionaries shaping the evolution of South African art.
A mixed media artist, curator and creative entrepreneur, Tshabalala’s previous work includes a collaboration with David Krut Projects where she created a silkscreen edition for Latitudes LIMITED for the first ever Latitudes Art Fair. In 2021, Tshabalala worked with printer Sbongiseni Khulu to make a series of monoprints. Moropa’s work primarily explores themes of identity, family relations, violence, race, gender, love and sexuality, solitude and the sense of belonging to name a few. Moropa had her first solo exhibition ‘The Memory of Her in Me’ at Madlozi Art Gallery in Johannesburg in October 2020 and her second solo exhibition ‘The Memory of Her in Me II’ through the Latitudes Art Fair in December 2020.
Collectively, “FOREWOMEN” pays homage to Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa and Sophia Williams-De Bruyn, the courageous women who led the historic march to the Union Buildings in 1956 in protest of apartheid laws. The exhibition weaves together the diverse yet unified voices of our featured artists, each contributing their unique story to the broader tapestry of South African art. This exhibition is a powerful commentary on the complex interplay of race, gender and identity as the artists address themes such as cultural identity, social justice and the reimagining of traditional narratives. Through their distinct practices, these artists explore the intersections of their personal and communal histories, challenging stereotypes and redefining their place within the societal and artistic spheres.
