In this edition of the pod, I sit with Setlamorago Mashilo, and as is tradition on Intraparadox’s first interception with an artist, we talk about his formative years as an artist. We touch on his art practice and consider the conceptual framing within which his recent work shown under the title Modiši wa go Botega is based. The exhibition was shown at the Constitutional Hill, Johannesburg, from 12 February to 12 April 2026 wherein it occupied both the West and the East wings.
A close reading of Modiši wa go Botega seamlessly connected, albeit from a multifarious perspective, Mashilo’s concerns with those he grappled with in the series Mabu a utswitswe, which orbited around the land question in South Africa. But at this point in his career trajectory, Mashilo shines the mirror back on the inhabitants of the land, its potential as a source of sustenance and tangible wealth, as well as our responsibility to it, those of us fortunate to own a piece of it – the land. However, this is one tip of icebergs that this podcast expands on in making sense of Mashilo’s art practice and the conceptual considerations that permeates Modiši wa go Botega.
Exhibition Catalogue
+The original feature image used for promotional purposes of this blogpost was taken by Musa Nxumalo and have been used with permission of the artist and may not be re-used without consent of the artist.
**The official exhibition catalogue Modiši Wa Go Botega (in pdf. format) is made available with permission of the artist, Setlamorago Mashilo, to ensure the listener’s familiarity with the work that was shown in this recent exhibition and those referred to in this podcast.
>+<The audio version of this interview, encountered in version AmbientMIX remains the property of Mmutle Arthur Kgokong except where his name appears alongside that of a featured artist or artists.
I remain grateful to the time afforded me by the artist to interview them.
To reference this text & audio documentation please cite:
Kgokong, M.A. 2026. Intraparadox, An Interview with Setlamorago Mashilo. Modiši. AmbientMIX. Mmutleak.com-Intraparadox.
Winter
24 July
© mmutle arthur kgokong 2026
Intraparadox 
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