Art Central, Hong Kong. 2025, A Solo Presentation by Fumani Maluleke
The exhibition "Matsalwa (Scrolls)" draws inspiration from ancient forms of record-keeping, such as scrolls and the Japanese Mamikono, emphasizing the continuity of wisdom and culture across civilizations. Maluleke's work “Ti phuphu” exemplifies this concept, using the grass mat as a metaphor for the scroll—a vessel for knowledge that can be rolled, stored, and passed on. The piece evokes the intangible truths embedded in cultural memory, suggesting that wisdom flows like a river, connecting past and present, individual and collective experiences.
ABOUT THIS
2025.3.25 - 2025.3.30
2025.3.25
Central Harbourfront Hong Kong, 9 Lung Wo Road
E1
Fumani Maluleke's artistic journey, as described in "Matsalwa (Scrolls)" is a profound exploration of memory, heritage, and the transmission of knowledge across generations. Born in the village of Thomo in Limpopo, South Africa, Maluleke's early passion for art, expressed through sketches on schoolbook margins and walls, foreshadowed his future as a deeply reflective artist. His choice of the grass mat as a medium is both personal and symbolic, reflecting his rural upbringing and the cultural fabric of South Africa. The grass mat, a common object in many South African households, becomes a canvas for Maluleke to explore themes of identity, tradition and the passage of time.
ARTWORKS
About the artist
The exhibition "Matsalwa (Scrolls)" draws inspiration from ancient forms of record-keeping, such as scrolls and the Japanese Mamikono, emphasizing the continuity of wisdom and culture across civilizations. Maluleke's work “Ti phuphu” exemplifies this concept, using the grass mat as a metaphor for the scroll—a vessel for knowledge that can be rolled, stored, and passed on. The piece evokes the intangible truths embedded in cultural memory, suggesting that wisdom flows like a river, connecting past and present, individual and collective experiences.
