Phumulani Ntuli, an artist set to captivate art lovers with his first solo exhibition titled “Kunanela Iphuzu Emafini/Echoes of the point cloud.” This eagerly anticipated showcase will feature Ntuli’s works on paper and mixed media collages, which explore the intersection of South Africa;s cinematic history and modern technological advancements.
Born in 1986 in White city, Soweto, Ntuli grew up in a community that fostered a deep appreciation for storytelling and creativity. His interest in the arts blossomed during his high school years when he discovered the writings of African literary giants Chinua Achebe and Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Ntuli co-founded an art club with his late friend Themba Moyake, winning several competitions.
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Despite his passion for art, Ntuli momentarily succumbed to societal pressure and pursued a lucrative accounting degree. However, tragedy struck when he lost both his mother and grandfather, profoundly impacting his life. These devastating events prompted Ntuli to reassess his path, leading him to enroll in a BTech degree at the University of Johannesburg. Determined to pursue his dreams, he later earned a Masters in Fine Arts from the Ecole Cantonale D’Art du Valais in Switzerland, where he received the Prix-excellence for his research project, “Permutations of an Event.”
Despite his passion for art, Ntuli momentarily succumbed to societal pressure and pursued an accounting degree. However, tragedy stuck when he lost both his mother and grandfather, profoundly impacting his life. These devastating events prompted Ntuli to reassess his path, leading him to enrol in BTech degree at the University of Johannesburg.
Determined to pursue his dreams, he later earned a Masters in Fine Arts from the Ecole Cantonale D’art du Valais in Switzerland, where he received the Prix-excellence for his research project, “Permutations of an event”
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Ntuli’s solo exhibition is a culmination of his path, showcasing his unique works on paper and mixed media collages. Collaborating with Kim-Lee Loggenberg at the David Krut workshop, Ntuli employed an old-fashioned printing press to create pieces that merge South Africa’s historical motion pictures with contemporary point cloud data, automation and synthesis facilitated by artificial intelligence.
The exhibition draws inspiration from the pioneering South African film “Jim Goes to Joburg,” produced by Eric Rutherford and directed by Donald Swanson under Swan Film Productions. Originally titled “African Jim” for European audiences, the film serves as a backdrop for Ntuli’s exploration of cinematic practices and model training as artistic inquiries.
