Created By
Fumani Maluleke
Charcoal and pastels on paper (Framed and mounted)
Curator
Artbridger Curator
In “Mparara,” Fumani's command of chiaroscuro plunges viewers into a haunting realm where light and shadow dance a macabre tango. The artist's deft hand transforms charcoal and pastel into a symphony of desolation, where each stroke whispers of forgotten narratives and silent elegies. Through the skeletal remnants dotting the landscape, Fumani invites us to ponder not just decay, but the profound resilience that emerges from the ashes of destruction. “Mparara” stands as a poignant testament to the enduring power of art to illuminate the darkest corners of the human experience.
This powerful monochromatic drawing titled Mparara renders a desolate landscape in stark charcoal and pastel on paper. The composition captures a barren, perhaps post-apocalyptic scene where broken wooden posts and scattered debris stretch across a bleak horizon. Fumani employs aggressive, expressive strokes to create a sense of abandonment and decay, with the dramatic clouded sky dominating the upper portion of the work. The artist's masterful use of light and shadow creates a haunting atmosphere, where skeletal remnants of what might have been fences or structures stand as silent witnesses to some unnamed devastation. The title Mparara (appearing in the signature at the bottom) suggests ruin or deterioration in Xitsonga language, perfectly encapsulating the visual narrative of the piece.
Created By
Fumani Maluleke
75 x 90 cm | 30 x 35 in
2024
