Multidisciplinary artist Thokozani Mthiyane returns to Brooklyn with a new exhibition, A Journey Into Soul Songs, an introspective showcase that invites audiences to listen not just with their ears, but with their hearts.
The joint exhibition, hosted by the Tanya Weddemire Gallery, William & Pearl Gallery and Ishka Designs, will explore themes of memory, transformation and identity through a poetic and symbolic lens, between May 1 to June 7.
Known for his dreamlike canvases, Mthiyane's work often blurs the boundaries between time, space and self, according to a press release. A Journey Into Soul Songs follows his acclaimed 2023 exhibit The Interpretation of Poetry.
Based in Johannesburg, Mthiyane is co-founder of The Enso Circle and has long fused painting, poetry, music and dance in his practice. Trained under South African painters Sfiso KaMkame and Thami Jali in Cleremont Township, Durban, Mthiyane has developed a unique style described as “alchemical,” transforming vulnerability and memory into layered abstract compositions.
Works such as The Mask of The Ancestors and The Canto Series feature prominently in the exhibition. These pieces serve as portals, dissolving the borders between realities and offering a meditative experience on existence and spiritual connection.
Mthiyane’s creative journey spans decades and continents. His early career included work with Madcap’s Educational Theatre Company and international performances, including translating French poetry into Zulu at Cave Poésie in Toulouse and touring Holland with the Inzalo dance company. His visual art has been showcased at events such as the Turbine Art Fair and features in collections including the Art Bank Collection and the Riboville Collection.
The opening reception is on May 1, at 6:00pm at the Tanya Weddemire Gallery, 254 36th Street, Suite C257, Building 2, Industry City.
