Sawubona: I See You
South African Art & Our Shared Humanity
Photo Credit: Alon Skuy
Presented during Miami Art Week, Sawubona: I See You brought together contemporary South African artists whose work explored identity, community, memory, and shared humanity. Curated by Stacy Conde, the exhibition featured works from the collection of neuroscientist, art collector, and Apter Art founder Dr. Jeffrey Apter, alongside a large-scale collaborative installation created with South African artist Cassius Khumalo.
At the center of the exhibition was a clothesline installation that crisscrossed the gallery space, carrying garments worn by multiple generations of South African families. Conceived by Conde and realized in collaboration with Khumalo, who sourced the clothing in Johannesburg and provided a traditional bar of laundry soap commonly used in South African households, the installation served as both a visual anchor and a symbolic gesture. Familiar across cultures and continents, the clothesline became a reminder of our shared humanity, connecting lives, histories, and experiences across distance and difference.
Sawubona: I See You invites viewers to embark on a journey through the rich visual and cultural landscape of South Africa, presenting an intimate and multifaceted portrait of South African life. The word "Sawubona," an everyday greeting in Zulu that means "I see you," offers a poignant lens through which to approach this exhibition. Here, "seeing" transcends the simple act of looking; it calls for an encounter, an acknowledgment of the stories, struggles, resilience, and beauty embedded within each piece.
In this exhibition, a diverse selection of paintings, drawings, and photographs reflects the depth and complexity of South African society. Through these works, artists reveal the pulse of South Africa, capturing scenes of daily life, intimate family moments, and the textured, vibrant communities that make up its social fabric.
The clothesline installation further contextualizes the exhibition. A common sight across the globe, it serves as a powerful yet humble symbol of shared humanity, bridging the space between continents and cultures. Each article of clothing carries the imprint of lives lived, stories told, and traditions passed down. The installation not only contextualizes the artwork but also anchors it in the universal, echoing the exhibition's invitation to see South Africa not as something distant or foreign, but as intrinsically linked to our own experiences.
By centering the theme of "I see you," Sawubona challenges us to move beyond preconceived notions and assumptions, fostering a space of recognition, respect, and connection. As we walk through this collection, we are reminded that art, like the clothesline, connects us across vast distances. It is an expression of identity and humanity, an invitation to see, understand, and ultimately to be seen.
Featured Artists: Happy Dhlame, Cassius Khumalo, Andile Komanisi, Asanda Kupa, John Vusi Mfupi, Alon Skuy
Curated by Stacy Conde