FINE ARTIST KHULEKANI FOR ITALY EXHIBITION!

MBABANE - “Art is a universal language.”The above popular quote by Terri Davis has proven to be true for Eswatini fine and sculpture artist Khulekani Msweli, who has been recently revealed to be one of the creative minds to exhibit at the Arts Residency and Exhibition in Italy.

This will be from November 9 to 17 at the Young Artist Gallery and Garage, also known as YAG/garage, in I Giardini d’Arte di Via Caravaggio.
This was revealed at the Yebo Contemporary Art Gallery Eswatini, also known as Yebo, social media pages on Wednesday where Msweli was congratulated. Yebo is a contemporary art and design centre in the country and it is the same entity which houses Msweli. It started operating in 2011.

Msweli confirmed that he was slated for Italy in the exhibition themed ‘Young African Art - Languages without Borders’ on the said dates.
When asked how he got the gig, Msweli said he applied to be part of it last year and eventually got accepted this year.
“I got this through consistently producing and publicising my work that is provoking contemporary art over a prolonged period,” said Msweli when describing which piece got him the recognition in Italy.

Designer

In Italy, Msweli, who is also a fashion and interior designer, will be showcasing a performance piece, done together with an Italian musician and several photography works.
Msweli said he was determined to showcase high quality contemporary art and thoughts from the country.

“This will make our country a full part of global contemporary art movements. On a personal level, I hope it allows me to continue honing my craft, building meaningful relationships with those that I will be interacting with and accessing new markets of trade.”
It is not the first time for Msweli to bag an international exhibition gig. He has been to art residencies and exhibitions in the United States of America, Belgium, Finland and South Africa.

Yebo co-founder Aleta Armstrong congratulated Msweli for his upcoming trip to Italy, saying he was selected because he is an exceptional artist with very innovative and experimental concepts who works in a variety of mediums.

“Yebo has partnered with Khulekani on numerous projects, the latest being the FNB Art Jo’burg Fair last month.
“His achievement of being selected for this residency shows that overseas galleries, art collectors and institutions means the world is paying attention to some of  the exciting contemporary artists of Eswatini,” she said.

Armstrong said Yebo hoped that local art collectors would follow in Msweli’s footsteps.
Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture (ENCAC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Stanley Dlamini said they were excited that local artists were breaking new ground.

Placing

“We are about placing artists in new spaces and audiences, ensuring that they become attractive to professional transactions,” said Dlamini.
Msweli is not the only fine artist who has exhibited overseas. Banele Khoza, a liSwati fine artist from Hlatikhulu, has exhibited his work in Paris, France.

Msweli is a multi-talented fine artist rom Vuvulane in the Lubombo Region. He did his high school at Waterford KaMhlaba and did his tertiary education in Fashion Design and Art from Southport College and Manchester Metropolitan University in England. He is also the co-director and owner of multiple award winning design company, JEREMPAUL Investments.

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