The Johannesburg Art Gallery, in partnership with Goodman Gallery, is thrilled to host Lindokuhle Sobekwa’s first solo exhibition at the museum, titled ‘Umkhondo: Going Deeper’. This exhibition follows Sobekwa’s 2023 FNB Art Prize Award and brings together two major bodies of work: ‘I Carry Her Photo with Me’ and ‘Ezilalini (The Country)’, showcased together for the first time.

‘Umkhondo: Going Deeper’ delves into Sobekwa’s exploration of absence, loss, and belonging. His work reflects a profound interest in memory, personal history, and societal issues, presenting a lens-based practice developed over a decade. Sobekwa’s project critically examines the legacies of historical injustices and their impact on identity, addressing the scars left by apartheid and colonialism.

The exhibition title, Umkhondo, translates to “clue” or “trace,” signifying the subtle imprints left by time and memory. Sobekwa’s introspective project ‘Ezilalini (The Country)’ contrasts the beauty and scars of the South African landscape, documenting his journey from his birthplace in Katlehong to his ancestral home in Tsomo, Eastern Cape.

At the heart of the exhibition is Sobekwa’s ongoing project, ‘I Carry Her Photo with Me’, which began in 2017 following the disappearance and passing of his sister Ziyanda. This project includes a hand-made photobook and a film interpretation, making its Johannesburg debut. The film features images intertwined with a melancholic score by South African jazz musician Nduduzo Makhathini, capturing Sobekwa’s unique approach to photography.

The exhibition runs from 24 August 2024 to 23 March 2025 at the Johannesburg Art Gallery. Sobekwa’s work, rich in personal and societal reflections, illustrates how photography can represent and retrace memories, offering both a roadmap through pain and a space for contemplation.

Lindokuhle Sobekwa (b. 1995) is an acclaimed South African photographer whose work spans critical themes of memory and identity. His impressive career includes a recent solo show at Huis Marseille in the Netherlands and participation in various international exhibitions and publications.