Photograph by Ed Pollard, Hasselblad H4D50 - 2018.

Images(2)

Photograph by Ed Pollard, Hasselblad H4D50 - 2020.

Turmoil

Artist Zandile Ntobela (Xhosa (South African), b. 1986)

Art Collective Ubuhle Women (South African, founded 1999)

Date2018

MediumCzech glass beads on fabric

Dimensions55 5/8 × 26 1/2 in. (141.2 × 67.3 cm)

ClassificationsGlass

Credit LineMuseum purchase

Object number2018.37.1

Collections

Modern and Contemporary

On View

On view

DescriptionThis piece is a highly colorful beadwork with abstracted imagery; within the patterning, three trees are visible and a multi-colored, spiraling circle dominates the left side of the composition. Trees feature in Zandile’s ndwango as part of a conversation with her older sister, Ntombephi “Induna” (leader) Ntobela, who loves trees and constantly features them in her own work. Zandile’s trees are floating and free in the composition rather than rooted to the ground, indicating the Ntobela sisters believe they themselves have choices and freedom, while the colorful flowers represent the promise of their children. Zandile craves roots and wants to be certain about her future; although her life is still uncertain, she bravely keeps a positive outlook. This positivity is represented by the brightly colored beaded background, while the spiraling circle to the left of the work represents uncertainty that could create turmoil.