New Dispensation A solo exhibition by Pat Sithole
Pat Sithole’s latest solo exhibition, New Dispensation will be shown at the Absa Gallery from 8 July to 3 August 2018. Creative Feel has been following Sithole’s career ever since his first solo exhibition at the same Absa Gallery in 2007 and recently caught up with him to discuss his latest work and his perspective of the interleading years.
C
reativity runs through Pat Sithole’s veins. He is
When asked about changes in his surroundings, Sithole
the nephew of the renowned South African wood
says that he has experienced many positive developments
sculptor, the late Lucas Sithole and has been artistic
and transformations since 2007. He feels that the conditions
all his life. He is convinced that this is something
in which he lives have changed drastically, even though
he was born with. Sithole feels that his work has really grown over the last few years. ‘I have produced some new artwork in
some things remain unchanged and there are still problems to be solved. The changes that have taken place over this period,
which I’m inspired and influenced by the daily changes
both in his surroundings and the country, have had a
and experiences that are happening in my life and in my
significant influence on Sithole’s work for his forthcoming
country.’ When Creative Feel interviewed him previously,
show. This can be seen in his choice of colours for the
his home and studio were in the far East Rand township of
show, which he says are chosen specifically to represent the
KwaThema in Springs. He confirmed that he chooses to still
transformation he has experienced. The colours are strong
live there because he is intrigued by and draws inspiration
and bright, which he says represent hope and optimism.
from his surroundings and the constant buzz of activity
‘In fact, we are living in a country where we are faced with
going on around him.
many things, some of them are bad and some good, but my
New Dispensation is an introspective and reflexive project that focuses on the social and political conditions
colours only focus on hope and development,’ says Sithole. ‘That is why I use bright colours instead of using strong
that many South Africans are finding themselves in. It is mostly inspired by societal changes, memories and the lived experiences that various South Africans and South African communities have and use to construct and understand their daily reality. As an emotionally charged exhibition, New Dispensation draws on sadness, pain and joy that individuals experience in their daily lives and how these emotions motivate them to continue to strive for a better life and a better tomorrow. Drawing further on Sithole’s social surroundings, personal life and experience of the transition from one political dispensation to another, this exhibition questions notions of human endurance, emotion and position.
42 / Creative Feel / July 2018
“I’m inspired and influenced by the daily changes and experiences that are happening in my life and in my country”
