Thembeka Heidi Sincuba is an artist, educator, and writer known for looking into the connections between African spirituality, rituals, and technology. Their work challenges us to think about these important themes.
The beginning of this year, Thembeka held a solo exhibition called Umngqwambo at the Association for Visual Arts (AVA) in Cape Town. This exhibition showcased a mix of painting, installation, and video, highlighting Sincuba’s approach to art.
Before this, they exhibited at Galerie 23 in Amsterdam in 2023 and at Berman Contemporary in 2024. Thembeka has also participated in notable artist residencies, including one at the Nordic Arts Association in 2021, where they collaborated with artist Lefifi Tladi on a project about Afro Abstraction and African spirituality.
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As an educator, Thembeka has shared their knowledge at several universities, including Rhodes University, Wits, and the University of Cape Town. They have written about African art and contemporary practices for well-known publications like Bubblegum Club, Mail & Guardian, and Chimurenga. Their writings reflect an understanding of art and its role in society.
In addition to their artistic and educational work, Thembeka is also an activist. They serve as the vice-chair of the SWEAT (Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce) board, advocating for the rights and education of sex workers. Through their art, teaching, and activism, Thembeka encourages important conversations.
The Umngqwambo exhibition focused on the remnants of pre-colonial initiation rituals. It featured two large oil paintings titled The Dance of Death and Bahlekisa Ngami. These works confronted the struggles and changes that come with initiation, reflecting on how colonial modernity has affected these traditions.
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One installation, Amanzi Angcwele, combined water and plastic to symbolize purification and regeneration. The video piece, Procession, captured the fleeting and ghostly nature of the initiation experience. By reimagining initiation as both a form of resistance and a way to teach, Thembeka would like viewers to think about how fragmented traditions can lead to new beginnings.
