Body Electric delves into the tension and synergy that arise when tradition intersects with contemporary narratives. The exhibition explores how the body acts as both a vessel of memory and a catalyst for change, resonating with the complex identities shaped by history, culture, and personal experience. Through a diverse range of mediums and practices, the artists engage with themes of transformation, legacy, and the ever-evolving human condition.
Curator Kimberley Cunningham notes, "Body Electric is an invitation to engage with the myriad ways in which the body can be both a vessel of memory and a catalyst for change. Their works resonate with Whitman's idea that the body is an ever-changing, electric entity capable of reflecting the complexities of identity and society."
The exhibition will be on view from September 5th to October 26th, 2024, with an opening reception on September 5th. The gallery is located at 526 West 26th Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10001.
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Dan HalterThe DNA of the Ticket That Exploded, 2023Signed & datedHand-woven archival ink-jet
prints66 1/2 x 76 x 4 1/2 in.
168.5 x 193 x 12 cm. -
Sthenjwa LuthuliImpokophelo, 2022Signed & datedHand carved superwood block
and oil based off set
lithography ink72 1/2 x 54 1/2 x 1/2 in.
184 x 138 x 1 cm. -
Sthenjwa LuthuliEmotional Connection, 2022Signed & datedHand carved superwood block
and oil based off set
lithography ink72 1/2 x 54 1/2 x 1/2 in.
184 x 138 x 1 cm. -
Mongezi NcaphayiLet's Say We Did II, 2023Signed & DatedIndian Ink and Watercolour on Fabriano Paper55 x 55 in.
139.7 x 139.7 cm. -
Athi-Patra RugaAct One: Scene 5: Erythrina Kaffra (from The Lunar Songbook), 2021Signed and datedWool and thread on tapestry canvas89 x 74 in.
226.1 x 188 cm.Courtesy of Montague ContemporaryCopyright The Artist -
Athi-Patra RugaPortrait of an Ageing Hipster, 2023Signed & datedOil pastel and stick on Belgian Canvas30 1/2 x 30 1/2 in.
78 x 78 cm. -
Athi-Patra RugaDesire, 2023Signed & datedPencil, watercolor and ink on
paper10 1/2 x 7 1/2 in.
27 x 19.5 cm. -
Athi-Patra RugaThe Cyclops, 2023Signed & datedPencil, watercolor and ink on
paper16 1/2 x 11 1/2 in.
42 x 29 cm.
ABOUT DAN HALTER
Zimbabwean-born Dan Halter’s work is informed by his experience as a dislocated national in South Africa. Halter employs the language of craft and curio to address the politics of post-colonial Zimbabwe within a broader African context. His practice spans various mediums, including photography and video, and often engages with themes of identity, history, and the complex realities of contemporary Southern Africa.
Halter's works are included in prominent collections such as The South African National Gallery, the Pigozzi Collection, Scheryn Collection, and the prestigious Rennie Collection, among others.
ABOUT STHENJWA LUTHULI
Sthenjwa Luthuli’s work operates at the intersection of woodcut printmaking, relief sculpture, and painting, creating hybrid objects that reflect on contemporary society through the lens of South African postmodernism. Luthuli’s practice is deeply connected to his ancestral heritage and the concept of amathongo—the belief in the unending transmission of genes, courage, and legacies. His cyclical approach to art-making echoes the circular nature of life and cultural traditions.
Luthuli's art is part of important collections including the Brooklyn Museum; the Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz's Dean Collection; the Gatreaux Collection; the Judith Greenblatt Collection; Leiterin der Stadischen Galerie, Bremen; Standard Bank, Johannesburg; and the Norval Foundation in Cape Town.
ABOUT MONGEZI NCAPHAYI Mongezi Ncaphayi’s practice is an exploration of his subconscious, heavily inspired by his background as a saxophonist and his personal experiences. His abstract visual language, characterized by emotive forms and movements, reflects a deep engagement with his inner world and the improvisational nature of jazz. Ncaphayi’s works are a communication between the artist and his canvas, where each piece becomes a dialogue of inner emotions and external influences.
Ncaphayi's work is included in notable collections such as the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art in Washington, D.C., the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and the Bibliothèque Nationale de France in Paris.
ABOUT ATHI-PATRA RUGA One of South Africa’s most compelling contemporary artists, Athi-Patra Ruga employs myth-making and alternate realities to critique post-apartheid society. His works are often populated by avatars that allow for a nuanced exploration of identity and the socio-political landscape. Ruga’s practice is rooted in the allegorical, constructing a utopian metaverse as a lens through which to process historical traumas and envision future possibilities.
Ruga's works are held in many significant collections, including the Zeitz MOCAA in Cape Town, the Smithsonian Museum of African Art in Washington, D.C., and the Foundation Louis Vuitton in Paris.ABOUT THE CURATOR KIMBERLEY CUNNINGHAM
Kimberley Cunningham is a respected art curator recognized for her innovative approach to curation and art advisory. A graduate of Central Saint Martins in London, Kimberley began her career at Gagosian Gallery and later held prominent roles at Goodman Gallery in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and London. In 2020, she founded Cunningham Contemporary, focusing on collaborative curatorial projects that champion art from the Global South. Having served as the Head Curator for the Singita Art Gallery project until 2023, Kimberley continues to blend her passion for African art with a commitment to conservation, working closely with communities across the continent.
ABOUT MONTAGUE CONTEMPORARY
Montague Contemporary is dedicated to shifting the narrative of African art by fostering a new dialogue between artists and audiences. With over a decade of experience across more than 30 African countries, the gallery is committed to promoting diverse perspectives and challenging traditional art canons. Montague Contemporary's artists have been featured in major biennials and exhibitions worldwide and are part of prestigious public collections including the British Museum, MoMA, and the Smithsonian Museum of African Art.
ABOUT WHATIFTHEWORLD
Founded in 2008, WHATIFTHEWORLD is a recognized contemporary art gallery based in Cape Town, South Africa. The gallery has played a pivotal role in transforming the South African art landscape by representing influential artists who engage with both global and local contemporary art and socio-political contexts. Known for its ambitious solo projects and multidisciplinary installations, WHATIFTHEWORLD regularly participates in international art fairs and its artists have exhibited at prominent venues such as the Venice Biennale, Tate Modern, and the Guggenheim Bilbao.
