Gods of BLACKSHEEP CLAN

Mpumelelo Ngwenya- Musician/Producer

David Nyama- Musician/Producer

Mondli Madondo- Photographer/ Fine Artist

Maziza Melissa Mtwisha- Photographer/ Fine Artist

Anathi Radebe- Fine Artist/Photographer

Sphephelo Mnguni- Fine Artist

Amanda Mthembu- Performance Artist/ Poet

Nhlakanipho Ndimande- Fine Artist/ Print Maker

Phumlani Mkhize- Fine Artist/ Jwellery Desgn

Sthembiso Nxumalo- Performance Art

Mzamo Mlambo- Fine Artist/ Graphic Designer

Wonderboy Gumede- Fine Artist/Graphic Designer/ Musician

B L A C K S H E E P C L A N Exhibition at GREEN CAMP

GALLERY titled “Aficalypse On My Mind”

Apocalypse is an event involving destruction

or damage that is awesome and on a

catastrophic stage. (Afric+a)clypse=

Africalypse came about because of what we

see happening around the world with regards

to Africa . The destruction are damage that is

awesome are catastrophic seems be directed

to Africa, hence the word Africalypse.

“Africalypse On My Mind” is a quote or title

that we as the BLACKSHEEP CLAN came

up with when regards to Africalypse. As we

are made up of 12 members at the moment

who come from different kind of art forms,

such as photography, fine art, fashion,

dramatic arts, musicians, graphic design and

performance art. For this Exhibition we

worked individually using our different skills under the concept “Africalypse On My Mind” A

brief description of each artist works will be briefly discussed.

“How do we deal or reflect with such issues as young black artists in South Africa? How do

we produce works that will raise discussion on serious issues like HIV/AIDS, Indigenous

Cultures, African History, African Identity, African Languages etc? It seems as if black

people are suffering the most. But at the same time it feels as if our struggle to freedom is

not over, we are still powerless, we still starving, we still work for minimum wage, we still

looked down upon and our leaders say its freedom?”

-BLACKSHEEP CLAN

We as the BLACKSHEEP CLAN were very grateful for The Green Camp Gallery on hosting our

Exhibition, when we find it very important for us to give you a little information on what they all about

before we get to give a brief discussion the Artworks that where exhibited by BLACKSHEEP CLAN

“Africalypse ON My Mind”

GREEN CAMP GALLERY

The company’s name is actually Intelligent Design. What we are planning on doing is turning this

space, which we call The Green Camp Gallery, into an arts exhibition space, a coffee shop and an

open organic garden. We want it to be an open space that creatives can call home, regardless of

whether you are a fine artist, graphic designer, or a fashion designer. What we are trying to do is

create an alternative space in Durban that is open to all types. A lot of the space for artists and

creatives in Durban is very controlled or very expensive. Most of the time, people either go out to

drink, eat, or party. The Green camp gallery sees itself as being an open alternative to that. No cover

charge, no expensive food: just a friendly space to chill with Like-minded creative individuals. How

the hell did you guys find such an awesome space? This was a vacant property when we found it.

Xolani was in search of a space that would meet our needs. When I saw it, I knew immediately that

this could be something great. When we found it, the property was going to be demolished to be

turned into a parking lot. We tracked the owner down and presented a business proposal. So now

we’ve signed a 10 year lease (the project is a 10 year plan). What’s the vision for this place? When

we come in here, we see that you are trying to develop a culture that is not really seen much in

Durban. The style and culture of art and design in

Durban is not as raw as what we see here. The vision, first and foremost, is to create a sustainable

space. We are initiating an organic lifestyle where we grow our own foods. We also see this space as

that home that you have always wanted as an artist: a community of artists that grow together and

practice our passions together.

AT THE GREEN CAMP GALLERY

Nhlakanipho Ndimande and Phumlani Mkhize (BSC)

Amanda ‘Amora’ Mthembu

Sthembile Fufuh Nxumalo (BSC) and Lulu Mthembu

Mondli Madondo (BSC)

AFRICALYPSE ON MY MIND

Blacksheep Clan was commissioned by Green Camp Gallery to do a painting on one

of the money safes that were available at the space, Images bellow will show the

process leading to the final work. The artwork was collaboration by Amanda

“Amora” Mthembu, Wonderboy and Anathi “Chapter-Six” Radebe of Blacksheep

The idea was to create an art piece that is centered on Amanda ‘Amora’ Mthembu

poetry. The poem below is what inspired or brought the art piece to life.

“A World With No Africans”

A world that were to be Africanless

Would leave a natural mess

Blind eyeballs would tremble in vacant clothes

Animals would become suicidal

Watching them drop onto sands of already dead flies.

Images of the painting “A World With No Africans” by

BLACKSHEEP CLAN

Thanks to Thando “Squishy” Mbadi for painting this side of the safe, Beautiful

Lettering.

Acrylic on Metal

From right, Sphephelo “ODD” Mnguni, Anathi “Chapter-Six and Wonderboy

Thando “Squishy” Mbadi and Anathi “Chapter-Six” Radebe

“A World With No Africans”

SIDE 1 AND 2

SIDE 3

“AFRICALYPSE ON MY MIND”

The Exhibition was offifcially opened at 4:00pm at The Green Camp Gallery with a number

of performances from Wonderboy Gumede member of the BLACKSHEEP CLAN opening

the Exhibition a wonderful performance followed by Do or Die “Young and Gifted Collage”

and poetry from various poets.

Opening Performance By Wonderboy Gumede

Do or Die of “Young and Gifted College”

BLACKSHEEP CLAN BUCKET HATS

LAND & SKY

“SKY” The Blue bucket hats represent the sky and the patterns represent our

individual perception of the sky.

“Land” That’s Green, Yellow and Red bucket hat represent Land , How we use it, how

it uses us, how we interacts with nature etc, The different patterns again will represent

our individual perception of the land and life in general.

The following Artist is Mondli Madondo Fine Artist and Photographer. His

photography work explores different spaces and the activities that happen within

those spaces through documentation photography.

This body of work is a depiction of modern youngsters of our local townships.

The central focus of this body of work includes a series of photographs taken in a few blocks at

Lindelani Township. These images aim to fuse art and the culture of the lifestyle of young kids living in

the contemporary African context. These photographs portray lives of typical township youth living a

life that someone would consider as simulation of the American life style in a poverty stricken

community. These young stars make a living by making rap music and owning barbershops. During the

make of the music, there’s a very high use of dagga, which is ‘believed’ to enhance the creativity level.

The photographs are slightly manipulated to bring the viewer closer to the subjective experience, the

mundane colours to juxtapose the dramatic portraits, looming in the dark and puffing a smoke of

marijuana. These portraits portrays a whimsical and an embellished mood and scenery. These works

portray the kind of destruction or damage that is awesome and on a catastrophic stage in our

communities throughout South Africa, poverty, crime, unemployment etc. This is Africalypse in

our townships.

The following Artist is Sphephelo ‘ODD’ Mnguni Fine Artist who comments on the

socio-political issues using “Suffocation” as a metaphor to express how “fucked” up

we are by various political institutions. The body of his work initial questions to the

state and what it means to be a contemporary African in South Africa. His also

working on another solo Project outside of BLACKSHEEP CLAN which is called

“Visual Project”

FACEBOOK PAGE Link.>>>

The following images were taken from a performance that was done on the

Exhibition Day. Talking to Sphephelo ODD Mnguni after the performance and this

is what he had to say.

“ When I look at black people….Black people are about togetherness, So for this

performance I decided to cook Cow Head “Inhloko” in Zulu.. I used 3 legged pot to

cook the meat during the Exhibition, which took roughly 3 hours. Food brings

people together and I wanted to do just that. Speaking from the perspective of

Zulu culture, our houses are carcular “huts”, Fire place is made using smooth

stones placed in a circular shape, when we eat we form a circular shape , “Isibaya”

where we keep our cattle takes the form of a circular. So for this performance I

painted a white square on the floor and then I places “Isithebe” which is where the

meat will be eaten. When the meat was ready I place it in top of “Isithebe” then I

called people who were at the Exhibition space to enter the “White Square” and eat

with me. Immediately people started to position themselves in a circular shape

unconsciously inside the white square as they where getting ready to eat the meat.

Majority were black people……My performance was about bringing people

together and enjoying ourselves in that process, which I believe our ancestors did

years back. Art is how you treat people….”

Sphephelo ODD Mnguni Painting the “White Square”

This is the setup of the space in which the performance took place.

Sphephelo ODD Mnguni also painted a mural portrait of Steve Bantu Biko, Celebrating

Black Consciousness.This Mural was painted during the Exhibition and was Tittles “67

Minutes of Steve Bantu Biko” This was seen as a way to give respect to his legacy and

enlighten the next generation through his thinking.

“67 Minutes Of Steve Bantu Biko”

“RIP Steve Bantu Biko, you will forever be important”

-BLACKSHEEP CLAN

The following Artist is Mzamo Mlambo a Fine Artist whose work comments socio-political

issues that have to do with Culture vs Modernity. His work focuses on the issues of marriage and

lobola. Mzamo has chosen to use a different approach in his work by editing the Coca-Cola logo

to “Coca-Lova” which means “GUYS MUST PAY” in Tsotsi. This slogan or Theme Coca-Lova is

a product of the system, in such a way that man these days have to pay money, or obtain some

sort of tenchable resources for him to marry or be in a relationship with a woman. Hence the

slogan Coca-Lova which are words used by women in the city area when men approach some sort

of relationship. This kind of payment comes in the form of material stuff, jwellry, gifts, clothes,

etc. and if you don’t obtain such resources it becomes difficult for you to get a woman. Coca-Lova

is a term that highlights the difficulties that African man face in obtaining a woman in this day of

materialism.

Untitled, Acrylic and Mix Media on Canvas, 2014

This painting depicts a cow that is wearing sneakers, to highlight Modernity vs

Cultura and Tradition. “Lova” another word for Men printed on the left side puts

an emphasis on who pays for the cow and sneakers. The surface of the canvas was

primes with wet Cement which is used when building houses, bridges, roads, etc.

Cement is associated with hard labor which in most cases is done by men. Men

have become a product that has to produce resources before pursuing a short-term

relationship or a long term relationship with women, either way “Coca-Lova”. This

all happens before Lobola negotiations which are more expensive and require a lot

of resources.

Mzamo’s paintings at the Exhibition Were displayed on a wall with a pile of broken

bricks infront of them, which were placed in a way that would make it tricky and

require a lot of effort for the viewer who wants to view the paintings up close which

means only a few would try and look up-close, and those who do come up and view the

paintings would have paid the price of walking on top of broken bricks on a steep

slope. “To see the paintings you must COCA-LOVA”

Mzamo Mlambo also printed T-Shirts with the slogan “Coca-Lova” Which were sold on

the Exhibition day.

Coca-Lova “Credit Without Limit’’ T-Shirts are available in all colours.

The following Artist is Anathi Chapter-Six Radebe Fine Artist who comments

on the socio-political issues using visual and performce art as a way to communicate

with the world.

“I’m from between space and time sent to deliver a message through art”

Using the quote “There’s nothing new under the son” Chapter-Six produced 5 paintings that touched on

issued of power and how blood has been shed to get this power. Chapter-Six collaborated with Blacksheep

Clan Artist, Amanda Mthembu and Sthembile Nxumalo. Amanda Mthembu recited a poem and Sthembile

was doing a contemporary performance piece in the middle of the paintings. Chapter Six was sketching the

whole performance which took like 5 min.

“Aficalypse On My Mind’’

Father of secrets

Teller of all stories

(Beat of the heart_tap of our tears)

Tombless we will lay being “These”// because it was those that stood at the top of the ladder and it was these that gave

them the bricks to lay

These gave

Those thick stills of wealth

Those left These sick still. Unhealthy//

So tumbless we will lay nothing to hide our burdened skin at rest_our spirits skinned in pride//heating hearts will cry on

treea helplessly heartless beats? Stop and echo the sorrows of our identity.

Let these African lips paint this Africalpyse

Dabbing brutality with layers of warm blood and freezing pain with captured sunset_beats of the heats

Tap to our tears of our bottled sea-belittled to puddles//

Father of secrets

Realease the nature we have captured

Father of secrets reveal the beauty we have battered teller of stories

To nature we have been unkind

As I tell you this is the Acricapypse in my mind .

Wonderboy Gumede, Anda “Panda” and Anathi Chapter-Six Radebe

The paintings had burning candles in front of them to symbolize cleanliness and

mourning of the world. The world is filthy and everything that happens is not new,

“Theres nothing new under the son”

“Theres nothing new under the son”

The following Artist Nhlakanipho Ndimande is a Fine Artist who’s whole body of work is

about African consciousness; it is an investigation of my identity as a contemporary Zulu

young man.

The diptych is a reflection of a form of masculinity quarrel which is observed amongst Zulu

young man more or less at the age of 20 to 25 years. Basically what happens “a

contemporary township Zulu man (umjita) always patronizes the one who comes from rural

areas, and yet the one (umkhaya) is always meek towards the patronizing ways, and bad

names which are often tagged on him, this is a general perception that has been observed by

Nhlakanipho Ndimande.

In This diptych he juxtaposed and exalts umkhaya, he makes him a Zulu warrior and paints

him on canvas, a medium preserved for the royal or privileged. He then de-exhault umjita, I

paint him looking down at the viewer yet literally onto ucansi, a handcrafted Zulu mat.

Nhlakanipho makes umkhaya seem more in tune with nature and When compared to

umjita who resides in cities. The paintings were displayed in a small room with ucansi on

the floor all the way to the door. When one enters the space it feels as if you are in a debate

between to people who have different cultures that are fighting off one another.

“Umjitha”, Acrylic on “Ucansi, 2014

“Umkhaya”, Acrylic on Canvas, 2014

Nhlakanipho also does Blacksheep Clan T-Die Tshirt under the

concept of African Consciousness

“Peace”

The following Artist Phumlani Mkhize is a Fine Artist whose whole body of work is about

recycled material as a formal and conceptual concern. He collects material that he

thinks need to be recycled and he re-construct them as art pieces giving them a whole

new meaning and new life. His inspiration for using found materials comes through

his training in jewelry making, where he used materials that are not conventionally

used in jewelry. With the use of recycled materials he begins to explore how they can

be used as a contemporary art medium and how such materials can start to deal with

the issue of traditional craft as art. His work touches on issues of division between

craft and art. He collected beer cans, and then than weaves them using various

traditional Zulu weaving designs. His work is characterized by absolute attention to

detail. By using these materials Phumlani also aims to convey awareness of society’s

wasteful tendencies. The contemporary artist that have inspired his work process in

art making is Reuben Ndwande. He weaved Zulu basket using unique designs that

came from his own imagination.

Phumlani Mkhize

“Woven Beer Cans, Creating different patterns”

The following Artist is, Wonderboy Gumede Graphics Design/ Musician/Artist who

comments on the socio-political issues and African Consciousness.

This is wahat he had to say….

“I remember being faced with a question “what is life?” this was in grade 5 if I remember

correctly. The brief was to sketch out how we interpret “Life”, many those to draw images

that evoke emotions, some were lovely and some were scary. My teacher Mrs Gouku asked

me why did I choose to draw a “cube” ….so I explained, when you place the cube in the

middle of the table with people seated aroun it each individual sees a different side of the

cube, and that’s how life is I guess. Ever since then I have been intrigued by the concept of

Dimensions because it has summed up my life, for me it’s a symbol of diversity….”

Wonderboy doing a painting at the Exhibition day. “Culture vs Modernity”

Wonderboy, and Anathi “Chapter-Six” doing some hard work at the Green

Camp Gallery pre- Exhibition.

The Exhibition Night at the Green Camp Gallery

The following Artist was not part of the Exhibition “Africalypse on my mind” at The

Green Camp Gallery in Durban KZN. Her name is Maziza Melissa Mtwitsha and

this artist statement.

The role of my symbols as I prefer to classify them is to introduce an alternative way to represent

the already existing alphabet that we know. When we look at the history of alphabets and its origins

in hieroglyphs where Jean-Froncios Champollion created the Egyptian dictionary and the Egyptian

grammar which went on to influence other languages and forms of writing such as the Ras Shamra

script, the Phoenician alphabet, the Greek alphabet and the Aramaic alphabet. By the creation of

these symbols I pose a challenge of a standpoint of creating an institution (my symbols) within an

institution (education) in revolt against an already existing institution (the English alphabet). I pose

a standpoint of commenting on capitalism and Westernization and their influences within the

colonized societies especially with the use of language. I look at culture as an influence and a factor

of language and vice versa. My symbols as playing a role of a code/x are an offering of an alternative

way of representing the already constructed English alphabet. As a representation of the English

alphabet it plays a role of creating an environment of secrecy and privacy within a society that is

already made up of secrecy and privacy. I'm interested in creating an institution of a lifestyle that

reflects on its trueness within a constructed colonized context. These symbols or this code/x is a

direction of reclaiming the power of our knowledge that is language, because I believe power lies in

knowing more than one language because the more languages you know the better or the more

insightful you are due to the knowledge you have because of the different levels of understanding

you begin to tap into when interacting with different individuals within different contexts as a result

of different translations or interpretations.

This was just a portfolio of Blacksheep Clan an insight of our individual ideas and

the vision that we have within Blacksheep Clan. The Main focus of this portfolio was

to document the Exhibition “Africalypse On My Mind” at the Green Camp Art

Gallery in Kwa-Zulu Natal Durban which was a great success for us. We would like

to thank all those who came to support us; it would never had been possible without

you and remember “There’s a Blacksheep in every flock”

Thank you‼

Contact Details

Email:blacksheepclanrsa@gmail.com

Contact no. (JHB) Maziza Melissa Mtwitsha 0818057962/ Anathi Hadebe:

0717998451/ Mpumelelo Ngwenya: 0840743477 (DBN) Sphephelo Mnguni:

0844931814/ Wonderboy Gumede 0746999941