In this edition of Intraparadox I have a conversation with Theophelus Rikhotso who took up art residency at the Pretoria Art Museum under the Kopanong Art Studio Residency Programme from August 2022 to May 2023. The residency resulted in a body of work of more than twenty artworks that were brought into an exhibition titled Mikondzo ya vakokwani (The Ancestors footsteps), on at the Pretoria Art Museum’s East Gallery from 15 June to 27 August 2023.

In his first solo exhibition Mikondzo ya vakokwani (The Ancestors footsteps), Rikhotso, using his artistic abilities to make sense and connect with the world within him and the society that has borne him, has reflected on something deep within his psyche. He has come to share with us personal entities that anchor his being in this world. But most importantly, using the Pied Crow and the Shovel, charged with personal symbolism, Rikhotso has made a connection with his community of Vatsonga of Njhakanjhaka, Bungeni, to share, articulate and interrogate this community’s position in its journey of social evolution. Mikondzo ya Vakokwani (The Ancestors footsteps), argues for an art that can interrogate the social sphere whilst maintaining decorum. The attention to detail, mastery of charcoal, oil and steel as media of choice is unquestionable.      

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Winter

15 July

© Mmutle Arthur Kgokong, 2023

Reference credits

+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 this blog post teaser poster is property of Mmutle Arthur Kgokong. *Promotional poster is largely based on Theophelus Rikhotso’s original artwork ‘Shovels, Pied Crow and Me’ (2023). Oil on Belgian linen. 45 x 50 cm.

++The audio version of this interview, encountered in version D6y2n1ghtMix remains the property of Mmutle Arthur Kgokong except where his name appears alongside that of a featured artist/s or featured guest in the reference statement.

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To reference this audio documentation please cite:

Kgokong, M.A. 2023. Intraparadox, Interview with Theophelus Rikhotso. Homage2Vakokwani. PAM 5 Jul. 0847. D6y2n1ghtMix. Mmutleak.com-Intraparadox.

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