Gallery 2’s latest exhibition Unknown by Buhle Nkalashe is a benevolent body of work fitting for these trying times. Messages of hope is painted across a vibrant colour palette as Nkalashe always finds the light in dark situations. The exhibition will be on show at Gallery 2 and is in association with Lizamore and Associates.
This body of work explores the mind of the artist and how he has reconnected with his inner child and been liberated by it. Nkalashe experimented with different kinds of mediums, namely charcoal, oil paint, acrylic paint and oil pastels. The artist surrendered control of planning the artworks, and rather painted what he feels in his heart. The exhibition aims to evoke the creative child who once existed in all of us, and the ever-present inner child who dreamed big and believed that all things are possible. This body of work reflects the creativity, boldness and courage of that spirit as shown in the patterns.The artist believes that by simply pouring his heart into the canvas, rather than constructing the artwork, he can project the voice of his soul.
Buhle Nkalashe (b. 1994, South African) is a full-time visual independent artist. Nkalashe is mostly known for his paint and mixed media which is a combination of charcoal, acrylic paint, oil paint and oil pastels. His paintings revolve around the growth of African people through design and how traditional patterns have evolved and contributed to a contemporary style. This can be a symbol of identity. He recently moved from Cape Town to Johannesburg where he now lives and works. Nkalashe has been painting for nearly 10 years and had his debut solo, The New African, at Youngblood Africa Gallery (2018) in Cape Town. He also participated in several group exhibitions, to name a few, Top 100 for the Sanlam Portrait awards (2017), Woordfees (2019), Africa’s Art Collective Seasons at the Julie Miller Institute (2019) and Saatchi Online Campaign (South African Emerging Artist) (2019). Nkalashe was also invited by Red Room Contemporary Gallery to exhibit at the Turbine Art Fair (2019). He has been featured in various Saatchi catalogues and collections.
