01/Welcome
25 Feb 2025
iNgoma yintwaso yenyanga, ngums’ obomvu welanga, lithemba.
Ingoma iyanyanga; iyinyanga ekhanyisa kobunzulu ubumnyama.
Song is the light heralded by a waxing moon, it is a submersion
and emergence on the moon’s rippling reflection emanzini.
Siphila ngengoma, siphiliswa yingoma – song is life and catharsis.
The custodian of song is a healer, is the moon; is the bearer of
iyeza. Ophethe ingoma uyinyanga, uyanyanga.
about the collection
The stage is a sacred space, a realm where artistry, emotion, and energy converge to create moments of transcendence. In his latest fine art print collection, acclaimed photographer Arthur Dlamini captures South African performers in the raw essence of their craft, immortalizing the spirit of performance through his lens. This collection is a celebration of movement, music, and the profound human connection that emerges when artists surrender to their art.
Dlamini’s work has long been a dialogue between history, identity, and spirituality. With this series, he turns his attention to performers – musicians, dancers, and vocalists, who channel their emotions through artistic expression. Each image is an intimate portrayal, revealing not only the physicality of performance but also the deep well of feeling that underpins it.
Arthur Dlamini’s photographic approach is rooted in a sensitivity to human emotion. His lens captures not just the moment but the spirit behind it. In this collection, the viewer is drawn into the sheer intensity of a musician lost in melody, the vulnerability of a dancer mid-movement, and the devotion of a singer reaching into the depths of their soul.
Among the standout pieces is Children of the Soil (2024), a striking portrait of Thandiswa Mazwai during the Sankofa launch. The image radiates ancestral energy, grounding the contemporary moment in deep-rooted traditions. Similarly, Yehla Moya (2022) featuring Simphiwe Dana captures the ethereal nature of live performance, where the boundary between the artist and the audience dissolves into shared emotion.
INITIATION THROUGH MUSIC
Dlamini’s work has always been informed by themes of spirituality, and this collection is no different. INGOMA The Collection, reminds us that performance is more than entertainment, it is a ritual, a form of worship, a way to connect with something greater than ourselves. This notion is evident in images like Nomthandazo (2023), where Zoe Modiga’s performance becomes a visual representation of prayer and invocation.
Another striking work, Woza Moya (2022), featuring legendary jazz bassist Herbie Tsoaeli, embodies the meditative and healing qualities of music. The deep shadows and dynamic composition reflect the improvisational spirit of jazz, a genre deeply embedded in South Africa’s cultural memory.
IN WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW
The collection not only focuses on the spiritual background of music, but celebrates the rich culture of South African music, by highlighting new-age contemporary artists and serving as an homage to the legacy of South African performance arts. Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse’s electrifying presence is preserved in Hot Stix (2022), while Nduduzo Makhathini’s spiritual jazz journey is reflected in Umkhathi (2021).
Dlamini’s portraits emphasize that these artists are more than entertainers—they are storytellers, healers, and custodians of history. Through Arthur’s eyes and hands, their presence is elevated beyond the fleeting nature of live performance into something eternal.
CELEBRATION OF UBUNTU THROUGH ART
At the heart of this collection is the philosophy of UbuNtu—the interconnectedness of all people. Dlamini’s work reminds us that art, like life, is meant to be shared. The energy exchanged between performer and audience is what makes each moment special, and through these fine art prints, that energy is preserved.
This body of work is a visual love letter to South African performers, a testament to their ability to uplift, heal, and inspire. By capturing them in their most vulnerable and powerful states, Arthur Dlamini offers us an opportunity to witness the magic of performance beyond the stage.
ART FOR GOOD
The Ingoma series and other sought-after pieces from the Arthur Dlamini archive were featured in a prestigious auction hosted by the Bloem Girls Rock Foundation. Supported by AD Gallery and Les Creatifs by Chef Wandile Mabaso, the event served as a charity fundraiser dedicated to uplifting young artists, by inspiring collaboration between artists of different mediums and encouraging artists to engage the market in new and unique ways.
The evening was a stunning blend of South African art, culture, and fine dining. Chef Wandile Mabaso curated a menu that honoured traditional South African cuisine in an elegant, contemporary way. Highlights of the evening was the incorporation of goat meat, paying homage to the deep cultural significance of slaughtering as a ritual of thanksgiving and an incredible performance by incredible artist Zawadi Yamungu, whose angelic voice is accompanied by Indigenius South African instruments. Every dish was a nod to heritage, storytelling, and the sacred nature of communal gathering.
To view Ingoma, visit AD Studio at 44 Stanley Avenue, Milpark, Tuesday-Sundays 10:00-17:00
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