Interview with Lebohang Sithole

I recently caught up with the artist, Lebohang Sithole, ahead of his upcoming DECONSTRUCTED solo exhibition, “Kasi Lullabies” and this is what he shared around the conceptualisation, narrative and hopes for the exhibition as a whole… 

Nolan Stevens: I guess the first question has to be how did you come up with the idea for this show? 

Lebohang Sithole: It all starts from a place where I, as a person born in the township, in the ghetto, in the kasi, am able to tell stories that are positive but also true and real when it comes to understanding the life we live in these kinds of places.  

Because it’s very difficult to be considered as an artist when you come from places like the one I came from. This is why I want people to realise that my desire (with this exhibition) is to make sure that even a child from ekasi is considered as someone who can have this dream (of being an artist). 

But as much as it’s difficult, it’s very important for our youth and communities to be mentored. You must understand that things are very slow there, that’s why we move away from ekasi and come to places like Joburg to try by all means to fulfill this, and other dreams.  

NS: Can you tell us about the different narratives, different sections and different parts of the exhibition that you’re hoping to incorporate? 

LS: Firstly, I am trying to make sure that I represent as many lived experiences from my background. There is a section that deals with my experience as a theatre-maker who created an informal theatre cast. With this section I am trying to remind people why they should not leave these experiences behind and continue to engage with theatre and different art forms.  

It’s a way of reminding people why they should not give up.  

There is a games area, where I highlight the games played in the kasi, in the ghetto, because they also have an impact on the development of young people and they work as a way to teach lessons of life.  

What one must understand is that it is these games that often help pull children away from drugs and alcohol abuse.  

There’s a music section, this section basically relates to the relationship I have with my grandfather, who died on the same day I was born, and speaks about how I believe that I am him, reincarnated.  

Lastly there is an installation section, which makes use of found objects which in their own ways create parts of life in ekasi, which almost anyone in this country can relate to.  

NS: This all sound very interesting, could you tell us more about these sections, why the desire to create different sections in a solo exhibition? 

LS: These DECONSTRUCTED exhibitions seem to give us the chance to think about concepts differently. In the beginning I had this idea of having multiple art fairs inside an art fair. That idea slowly became this one of different sections.  

What this also does is allow me to showcase my abilities like sculpture, painting and printmaking and also give me space to experiment with things like music, found objects and even video works.  

The sections also help me talk about different parts of ekasi life in one show in a way that people haven’t seen.   

NS: What is it you would like visitors to your upcoming DECONSTRUCTED exhibition, Kasi Lullabies, to take away with them after seeing the upcoming solo exhibition? 

NS: Any last words?  

LS: Just to tell people to come out for this one. I want to show people something that is new, something that is real, and maybe even help teach and learn more about each other.  

There really isn’t much else to add after speaking to this passionate artist, other than I hope to see you all at the public opening on Sunday 11 August.