Alt and Omega: Jackson Hlungwani offers an immersive and inclusive look into Hlungwani’s artistic practice.

Jackson Hlungwani’s artistic practice was spiritual, innovative, and prolific. Yet he is not widely known by the South African public or international audiences, even though he received critical recognition in the art world. Hlungwani: Alt and Omega will offer the most comprehensive survey of his work undertaken by any institution globally. Curated by Karel Nel, Nessa Liebhammer and Amos Letsole, the exhibition will take place from 2 September 2020 to 26 July 2021.

In 1978, a wounded Hlungwani experienced a vision; Christ and two figures appeared to him and made three promises: that he would be healed, that he would see God and that he would become a preacher. This vision became the defining moment of his life, and his career as an artist. While he had completed some sculptural works prior to this event, Hlungwani’s artistic output and the complexity of his practice radically increased. His artistic and spiritual practices are inextricably interlinked, one does not make sense without the other.  Highly innovative, Hlungwani developed a visual language that integrated traditions of Tsonga-Shangaan wood carving, Southern African spirituality, popular culture and biblical narratives.

Alt and Omega: Jackson Hlungwani will be a survey of Jackson Hlungwani’s artistic practice from the 1970s to his death in 2010.  Bringing together key works from his career, the exhibition includes a contextually-sensitive display of Hlungwani’s tour de force, New Jerusalem. Created over three decades, this packed stone site was re-purposed by Hlungwani with sculptural works that physically materialise his aesthetic and spiritual world.

“It is a privilege to honour this phenomenal South African artist with a comprehensive retrospective exhibition,” says Norval Foundation Chief Executive, Elana Brundyn. “It is an unfortunate reality that Jackson Hlungwani and his work remains unknown by many South Africans; Norval Foundation is proud to present his extraordinary work to the public.”

Alt and Omega: Jackson Hlungwani realises Norval Foundation’s commitment to recognise and research Black South African artists from the 20th century, whose contributions to the discourse of the visual arts have, until recently, lacked the appreciation they deserve due to the exclusionary bias that persisted until 1994. The powerful nature of Jackson Hlungwani’s work lies in its assimilation of a wide range of references, both local and global. The figures of the Nyanga and Sangoma, both healers within Southern African cultures, are seamlessly brought into conversation with references to the early African Christian Church and popular culture. Hlungwani manages to take seemingly incongruous elements and transform them into powerful statements that convey his unique vision for humanity.

Alt and Omega: Jackson Hlungwani is curated by Senior Advising Curator, Karel Nel.