The Provenance Part II is an exhibition that was personal, theatrical and informed - simultaneously memorialising the past, while formulating multiple intersections of identity, heritage and cultural memory that live in the present. South Africa’s history is complex and often retrospectively placed in a negative light, where scenes of struggle and hardship are at the forefront. Yet amidst this complexity, it also bears tales of resilience, triumph, and nostalgia that can be viewed through a positive lens.
The Manor sat down with curator, Lukhanyo Mdingi, to delve into how he harnesses the anecdotes of his childhood and his family through this multi-sensory experience - preserving and celebrating these archives within three themes that reflect the spirit of Bantu heritage: textiles, literature, and music.