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    You are at:Home»ARTS & LIFE»Ukulandela Umoya II
    ARTS & LIFE

    Ukulandela Umoya II

    Mzwanele “Rez Inyanzi” Tshisonga exhibits his photography collection at the Rhodes Fine Art Gallery
    Buhle Andisiwe MadeBy Buhle Andisiwe MadeApril 20, 2023Updated:April 20, 2023No Comments3 Mins Read
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    Mzwanele ‘Rez Inyanzi’ Tshisonga, 'Ukulandela Umoya II' poster. Photo: Sourced
    Mzwanele ‘Rez Inyanzi’ Tshisonga, 'Ukulandela Umoya II' poster. Photo: Sourced

    By Buhle Andisiwe Made

    Mzwanele Tshishonga is a multimedium artist hailing from the township of KwaZakhele in Gqeberha. Tshishonga is an alumnus of the Advanced Photography Programme at the Market Photo Workshop. Also known as Rez Inyanzi, he focuses his work on storytelling through his mixed media by engaging in issues that apply to the idea of ‘Blackness’.

    Photographer Mzwanele ‘Rez Inyanzi’ Tshishonga’s portrait. Photo: Siqhamo Jama.

    Rez Inyanzi’s art allows viewers to gain knowledge of African systems and cultures. On 14 April, Rez Inyanzi exhibited a couple of his collections, titled Ukulandela Umoya, at the Rhodes Fine Art Gallery on Somerset Road. His work spans from 2018 to date and the exhibition focused on the concept of Umoya, which is directly translated as “wind” or “air”.

    But Rez Inyanzi’s approach to Umoya is different. Umoya is also “spirit”, which is the focal point of the exhibition. The spirit inhabits the bodies of those gifted enough to experience it and the other spirits that linger around us. So, in essence, Ukulandela Umoya is to ‘follow the spirit’, allowing the heart to guide paths.

    An articulation of the Ukulandela Umoya II exhibition was posted at the entrance of the gallery. Photo: Buhle Andisiwe Made
    An articulation of the Ukulandela Umoya II exhibition was posted at the gallery’s entrance. Photo: Buhle Andisiwe Made

    Umoya is a spiritual calling that only a specific few ever experience, and few understand – it is a journey that allows one to connect to one’s ancestral clans. When looking at Rez Inyanzi’s photography, viewers are taken on that journey and are exposed to the intricacies of the spirit and ceremonial aspects attached to Ukulandela Umoya. The spirit is an unseen entity that one can only experience through emotional, trans-like visions and feelings. And somehow, Rez Inyanzi captures those feeling through moving images.

    Portraits of AbeGqirha captured in the exhibition, the centrepiece is an example of a moving image (the experience of Umoya). Photo: Buhle Andisiwe Made
    Portraits of AbeGqirha captured in the exhibition, the centrepiece, are examples of a moving image (the experience of Umoya). Photo: Buhle Andisiwe Made.

    The aesthetic components are compelling as a viewer to the non-static imagery produced, which allows viewers to translate those images into specific movements made by Umoya. Rez Inyanzi’s collections follow the differences between Umoya and, specifically, ‘Ubugqirha’ – an ancestral calling. The photography uses the calling as a tool to offload the ideology of Umoya and the different interactions of sacred spaces.

    A moving image of Collection I of Ukulandela Umoya. Photo: Buhle Andisiwe Made
    A moving image of Collection I of Ukulandela Umoya. Photo: Buhle Andisiwe Made.

    The exhibition translates the facets of the Ubugqirha that can be thought of as ‘wild’ and not usually accepted within Western communities. The journey portrayed by Rez Inyanzi elaborates on different elements of the calling and references the specific regalia that is attached to the different stages of Ubugqirha, allowing us, the audience, to gain a visual discernment.

    More of the collection and event can be viewed online on the Rhodes social media pages, including Grocotts Mail (@grocottsmail) and the Rhodes University Department of Fine Art (@ru_fineart) on Instagram.

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    Buhle Andisiwe Made
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    young & totally bubbly xhosa woman from the bay. with steadfast faith and a supportive family unit i have been able to develop a cool ability to achieve. art, fashion, entertainment and pop culture are what entice me. i'm attracted to visuals that last. through writing and video creation & edits, i aspire to create work that allows artist to showcase their talents and gives audiences the opportunity to stand in awe on what it is to be creative.

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