Alongside his work as a busy visual artist and cultural organiser, Jamal Nxedlana (1985) is also the founder of the Bubblegum Club, a digital platform and culture agency showcasing innovative new work and creating opportunities for emerging cultural workers. Crossing borders of platforms and media and reaching out to a growing international audience, Bubblegum is inspired by “work that is experimental without being restricted to exclusive spaces. And which is populist without pandering to the overhyped vacuity of the dominant celebrity culture.” He is also a founding member of the CUSS Group, a Johannesburg-based artist collective known for its explorations of the hybrid culture of post-colonial South Africa over the past decade.
As a solo artist, Johannesburg-based Nxedlana’s practice addresses the portrayal of the black body in fashion photography while exploring themes of race, masculinity, post-colonialism and consumer culture. His work has been exhibited in galleries, institutions and independent spaces internationally. Most recently, his images were featured in the collective shows The New Black Vanguard, curated by Antwaun Sargent, and Orlando, curated by Tilda Swinton. The Amsterdam-based No Man’s Art Gallery is the next in line, and will be hosting Nxedlana’s second solo exhibition.
Official Opening: Saturday 11 March
Time: 5 - 8 PM
Location: NMAG KIOSK, Willem de Zwijgerlaan 327 and NMAG, Bos & Lommerweg 88 (this exhibition extends to both gallery locations)
More information here.
