Blessing Ngobeni

The work of Blessing Ngobeni is marked by layers of acrylic washes, collage elements, and exaggerated figures. His paintings serve as a critical examination of societal norms and a profound exploration of the African experience on a global scale. Ngobeni channels his personal experiences into nightmarishly surreal and often violent scenes within his artworks. Despite their brutality, these scenes showcase the artist's mastery of visual elements, including line, composition, and the evocative power of colour. In his artistic journey, Ngobeni engages in a dialogue with the works of artistic luminaries like Jean-Michel Basquiat, David Koloane, Pablo Picasso, and Dumile Feni. He firmly believes that history continues to shape our present-day existence. Ngobeni's work on canvas encapsulates the contemporary African experience, portraying a paradigm in which the African body grapples with an unrealized self, oscillating between the rejection and embrace of external systems. This narrative reflects the ongoing struggle for identity and agency amid a complex journey of interrupted development.