Intraparadox, An Interview with Philiswa Lila

Episode 1. On studying art and concept development

This is the first episode of a planned series focusing on South Africa’s Contemporary artist Philiswa Lila. Intraparadox spotlight picks up on her formative years as a visual artist practitioner (2005), closing off with the period where the artist was starting to gain some solid recognition which, roughly speaking, is around 2010s onwards .

Intraparadox, Interview with Philiswa Lila, Episode 1. On studying art and concept development

Artworks

Figure 1. Philiswa Lila. Skin Disorder (2010). Oil on canvas, 120cm x 120cm, Artist Collection
Figure 2. Philiswa Lila. Jazz (2014). Oil on vanish primed canvas, 55cm x 132cm, Artist Collection
Figure 3. Philiswa Lila. Amazwi Alishumi (2019). Mixed media, 131cm x 67cm, ABSA Collection
Figure 4. Philiswa Lila. At Birth (2020). Oil on canvas, 135cm X 93cm, available for purchase
Figure 5. Philiswa Lila. Ukufutha, Oil on canvas, 135cm X 93cm, 2020, available for purchase

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Philiswa Lila. Skin Disorder (2010). Oil on canvas, 120cm x 120cm, Artist Collection.

Figure 2. Philiswa Lila. Jazz (2014). Oil on vanish primed canvas, 55cm x 132cm, Artist Collection.

Figure 3. Philiswa Lila. Amazwi Alishumi (2019). Mixed media, 131cm x 67cm, ABSA Collection.

Figure 4. Philiswa Lila. At Birth (2020). Oil on canvas, 135cm X 93cm, available for purchase.

Figure 5. Philiswa Lila. Ukufutha, Oil on canvas, 135cm X 93cm, 2020, available for purchase.

N.B. Should you be interested in Philiswa Lila’s work, please reach-out HERE

+All images featured on this site have been used with permission of the artist and may not be re-used without consent of the artist. **Graphics for the blog post teaser poster is property of Mmutle Arthur Kgokong.

++The audio version of this interview, encountered in version Irie Ambient20XXIeD.1 remains the property of Mmutle Arthur Kgokong except where his name appears alongside that of a featured artist or artists.

* The sound-clip playing at the beginning of this interview’s soundtrack is sampled from a song titled Nomaphupho by the psychedelically-inspiring artist Sibusile Xaba. Nomaphupho is part of an exposition grouped under the album name Open Letter to Adoniah (2016). Herein it is used with permission by the artist.

To reference this text & audio documentation please cite:

Kgokong, M.A. 2021. Intraparadox, Interview with Philiswa Lila: Episode 1. On studying art and concept development. Mmutleak.com-Intraparadox. https://mmutleak.com/2021/04/02/intraparadox-interview-with-philiswa-lila/

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4 thoughts on “Intraparadox, An Interview with Philiswa Lila”

  1. I love Philiswa’s energy & her calm character. Figure 1 reminds me of when she was my teacher(assistant lecture in painting class at TUT Arts Campus)….she used to work on her art,at I’d just stare at her and I thought, hhmmmm this is interesting, & weird….I was trying to figure out what she was painting,…her work is intriguing and mysterious and I believe those are some of the factors that make her work so special.

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    1. Thank you Mme Bodirwa for listening to the podcast and engage with the content on this platform. It’s appreciated. For me this first episode lays bare the foundation of what Mme Lila had to contend with during her formative years as an art student and professional art practitioner. Thanks for your generous comment.

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      1. Was lovely and challenging listening to Philiswa. Her story does not only speak to an artist’s journey but all of us. I had the pleasure of working with her at the art museum and I’m very happy and excited of where she is and how far she’s willing to go. Keep pushing girl. And to you Mr Mmutle thank you for recording this. It’s going to go a long way in recording black south african history for those to come. Much appreciated. Can’t wait for part 2.

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      2. Mme Dubula, thank you for taking the time to listen to the podcast. I am humbled by your words. I am sure Philiswa will be equally appreciative of your response. We have to celebrate our artists while they are still alive; preserve their memory in partnership with them. Mighty thanks.

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