I won’t forget the sun is shining…

I won’t forget the sun is shining…

Lukho Witbooi

There is a quote from Carl Jung that seems to express the space in which the abstract paintings of the artist Mongezi Ncaphayi operate: ‘To the extent that I managed to translate the emotions into images—that is to say, to find the images which were concealed in the emotions—I was inwardly calmed and reassured. Had I left those images hidden in the emotions I might have been torn to pieces by them.’ [1] 

This is reflected quite well when one considers Ncaphayi’s Untitled (2016). The artist makes use of watercolour on paper and paints a shade of orange resembling a sunset. The painting also features marks that resemble birds and spots of white, adding to its emotional radiance. However, what is the meaning of that dark spot on the painting, which resembles a deep depression, absorbing light like a black hole?  

Is the artwork reflecting the nihilism that causes us to question the value of our progress when faced with static outside conditions, or is it a reflection of something within pointing to something in the human spirit that works to drain us of our happiness and optimism?

The use of abstraction allows an interpretation for both. Today, our sense of self is influenced by a multitude of factors, from within and without historical events, race, economic conditions, technology, social class, political systems… At the same time, it could be said that these external factors reflect our shadow and the dual nature of our spirit. How, then, do we look forward when trapped in our time and space? 

Perhaps, as Eastern philosophy suggests, true freedom exists not outside ourselves but within. Untitled reflects this philosophy well, with its orange colour reminiscent of atmospheric sunsets. The artwork leaves space for imagination and the recognition of internal moments of happiness, radiating from within like a beaming sun.  

For Njabulo Ndebele, however, growth of consciousness is also achieved when one is able to confront one’s real and painful experiences, enabling a genuine self-transformation, for even outside ourselves there is a beam. [2] Regardless of where a person is, sunsets change our mood. They signify moments when, after a day’s work or during a child’s play, the problems of the present seem to disappear, offering rest and a new beginning.

Thus the conclusion becomes a continuous travel between worlds and moments and it seems that what Ncaphayi offers here is a reflection, or perhaps, a moment of meditation in which one appreciates stillness and transformation and finding meaning in being.

The painting Abstract Composition (2020) is also on paper, but it's neither black nor white. Instead, it is smoky and grey, resembling clouds or smoke. One might think it is made from soot. Abstract Composition is not something that has been put together without skill—which sometimes happen when it comes to abstraction but technique alone is not what elevates this artwork. 

Technique is important because it allows the artwork to exist, not in isolation, but as an artwork that has aesthetic value, and it’s this process of making and what is made that gives us something beautiful. Thus, for me, what makes this work touch us is that it is imbued with genuine feelings of joy. I find this better illustrated when I consider the influence of other disciplines in Ncaphayi’s work, like music. 

Ncaphayi is able to produce similar effects through his paintings as one might experience from jazz. He gives us pieces that resonate without the need for thought, allowing for other ways of seeing. It’s interesting that a person who is able to achieve this through his art expresses a problem with communication. In an interview with Vusumzi Nkomo for ArtThrob, he states:  'I struggle with communication, a lot. Especially when it comes to expressing my feelings or even identifying how I feel, you know. Sometimes I get so intense that I just lose it.' [3]

Looking at another Untitled (2015) work, streaks of red ink and watercolour fall down like blood. It’s a bit chaotic and disrupts one's initial thoughts. Thus, a question arises: do artworks speak to each other? If so, is this work a response from the clear achievement of the preceding work? The piece rejects concretised thought and opinion.  The artist frees us, and himself, from this desire.

In my work, I’m trying to break free, to transcend to my higher self. I think that’s when we can be complete humans. I think if you reach that state that’s where you let go of the things that bind us, you know, you start being compassionate, you know, thoughtful, mindful and that’s what I’m talking about when I talk about migration of spirits. [4]

In exploring the evocative works of Ncaphayi, it becomes evident that art, like life, unfolds in layers of emotion and interpretation. Ncaphayi's abstract compositions, from the ethereal hues of Untitled to the emotive depths of Abstract Composition  and Untitled 2, invite us into a realm where feelings transcend words. Through his art, Ncaphayi navigates the complexities of human existence, from moments of profound joy to unsettling reflections on the human condition. 

His canvases, akin to musical compositions, resonate with an unspoken language that speaks to our innermost selves. Beyond technique lies a deeper narrative of introspection and transformation, where each brushstroke and colour choice signifies a journey toward understanding and transcendence. Ultimately, Ncaphayi's art reminds us that amidst the chaos and uncertainties of life, there exists a sanctuary for contemplation and renewal, where the spirit migrates towards compassion, mindfulness, and completeness.

Cover artwork: Mongezi  Ncaphayi, 2015. Ink and watercolour on paper, 64 x 100 cm.

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Endnotes:

[1] Jung, C. G. (1963). Memories, dreams, reflections. Pantheon Books.

[2] Ndebele, N.S. 2006 [1991]. Rediscovery of the Ordinary: Essays on South African Literature and Culture. Durban: University of KwaZulu-Natal Press.

[3] Ncaphayi, M. 2022. “The softness of things: An interview with Mongezi Ncaphayi”. ArtThrob (15 February):

‍https://artthrob.co.za/2022/02/15/the-softness-of-things-an-interview-with-mongezi-ncaphayi/ [1]

[4] Ibid. 

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