Renowned artist Athi-Patra Ruga recently unveiled his solo exhibition ‘Amanda on the Verge… [1835 – 2025]’ at BKhz Gallery in Rosebank, Johannesburg. This captivating exhibition delves into the intricate interplay between colonial history, black masculinity, and myth-making through a series of richly layered paintings.
Drawing inspiration from the decaying memorials and military forts of Eastern Cape, Ruga sheds light on overlooked aspects of our collective memory, promoting a reexamination of South Africa’s colonial frontier.
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Central to Ruga’s exhibition are his avatars, symbolic figures that embody historical tropes and challenge conventional representations of black masculinities. These avatars stand at the threshold of the unknown, reflecting the artist’s fascination with frontier spaces as both physical and psychological frontiers ripe with new possibilities.
Ruga’s art is influenced by various historical events and motifs, from the Crimean War to messianic prophecies and sightings of Haley’s Comet. By infusing a neo-gothic sensibility into his paintings, Ruga creates a somber yet calm atmosphere that resonates with the historical context of the Eastern Cape.
Through his painting ‘Dyani Mfengu on the Kei River [1835]’, Ruga pays homage to the Mfengu Levy, a group of black pioneers who played a pivotal role in British victories against the Xhosa. The character’s attire symbolizes a schism between different cultural influences, reflecting the clash of British, Boer, and Xhosa identities on the battlefield.
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Ruga’s choice of oil paint on canvas and stained glass as mediums is deliberate, positioning his work within the tradition of history painting while challenging biased colonial depictions. By recentering black sitters and reexamining colonial encounters, Ruga’s art offers a counter-narrative that speaks to the complexities of history and the potential for a more inclusive future.
