Adventures with BoBoBongz

Themed ZuwaSun, Wajipha Chongwe’s inaugural exhibition held at Lechwe Art Gallery, was an unveiling of her personal evolution. Through a vibrant detailing of dots, spirals and various female forms, Wajipha articulated her journey of breaking free from externally imposed patterns and reclaiming a sense of belonging. In some way, I got the sense that the exhibition was a personal ode to her growth, resilience and jijue (self-discovery).

I inferred that the authenticity of her self taught work found its home through her consistent layering technique and the use of dots and spirals, as this style allowed her illustrate the interconnectedness and flow of identity, time and sometimes spirituality.

Within familial and individual subjects in most of her art pieces, Wajipha provided a mirror for us to reflect on the universal human experience of navigating love, loss, change, rebirth and the complexities of existence, almost in a way that draws you to the take space, or indeed the circles, you need to live as your truest selves in all our layers, amidst societal expectations and pressures.

What intrigued me was the transition of Wajipha’s artistic vision beyond the canvas. The exhibition wasn’t confined to framed works; it also branched out into a collection of wearable art that provides a tangible extension of her painted narratives and offers a unique opportunity for enthusiasts to carry a piece of her story home.