Created By
Fumani Maluleke
Acrylic on reed mat (Framed and mounted)
Curator
Luke Chapman
Fumani Maluleke's Ti phuphu (Lean) captivates with its intricate dance of vulnerability and tenacity, embodied in the delicate yet resilient grass mat canvas. The interplay of sharp thorns and soft fibers echoes the complexities of the human experience, where strength often emerges from moments of fragility. Through the artist's deft hand, the white streak cutting through the composition serves as a beacon of hope, illuminating the path towards inner resilience amidst external challenges. Maluleke's work is a testament to the power of art to weave together narratives of struggle and endurance, inviting viewers to engage with the profound layers of history and heritage embedded within each delicate fiber.
Fumani Maluleke’s Ti phuphu (Lean) is a striking visual symphony etched into the textured surface of a grass mat. It's a poetic meditation on resilience and rootedness. Maluleke’s choice to work on a grass mat—an object imbued with cultural significance—grounds the piece in a tactile reality that resonates deeply with South African heritage. The mat itself becomes a metaphor for interconnectedness, its fibers woven like the threads of memory and tradition.
Created By
Fumani Maluleke
110 x 220 cm | 43 x 87 in
2025
