Victor Mutale: a slow unfolding

Victor Mutale: a slow unfolding 

Banji Chona

The practice of Victor Kalinosi Mutale serves as a critical artistic and political reflection on histories, present realities, and future possibilities, all conveyed through a symphony of abstract symbols referred to as ‘Kalidrawings’. His works, simple in materiality and mark-making, are valuable reflections on (and of) the shifting world and the polycrises being experienced. They are drawings beyond drawing; portals into layers of context, knowledge, and nuance that lie in the subterra, or in the silent meditations of the artist. 

Expressed across varying mediums and materialities, the coded ‘Kalidrawings’ find their rootedness in the geometric red ochre pictographs etched into the cave walls of Mwankole—one of the six rock outcroppings of Mwela Rocks, holding a collection of over 1000 rock paintings from the Neolithic period. The Mwela Rock Paintings, which can be traced primarily to the baTwa people, are located in the undulating green landscapes of Kasama in northern Zambia, where the artist was born. The dotted, lined, circular and lozenged curvilinear forms of the rock art inspired the artist's formulation of a '21st-century global script' which presents itself in abstract shapes across the artist's oeuvre. These symbols or language codings allude to the artistic process as a way in which concepts are carried from imagination—both individual and collective—into the realms of reality; a reflection on the position of artists as creators or reflectors of truths. 

In the embodied practice of Mutale, colour, mood, positionality, and voice are not mere surface elements but integral components that echo the complexities of human existence and societal dynamics. With a career spanning over three decades and traversing various disciplines, Mutale’s oeuvre grapples with the dichotomies inherent in the human experience, encapsulating the global quandary of enigmas and puzzles.

The concept of being 'on both sides’, epitomised in the exhibition Konse Kubili (2004), underscores Mutale’s overarching artistic principle—the transcendence of binaries to access realms of creation and renewal. This ethos enables him to engage in critical creation, grounded simultaneously in ancestral practices and responsive to contemporary socio-political landscapes. His works pay homage to the body (or form), recognising its capacity to carry histories, alter landscapes, and embody transformation.

Born into newly independent Zambia, which took the position of a Front Line State, Mutale’s formative years were steeped in the communal struggle for freedom, transcending imposed nation-state boundaries. Between 1963 and 1994, Lusaka and other Zambian cities were havens for liberation fighters from South Africa, reflecting the interconnectedness of regional liberation struggles. Growing up during these times, Mutale’s role in these regional and global struggles, although inspired by the liberation fighters for Zimbabwe’s independence, was not the wielding of guns but the wielding of artistic tools—pencils, pastels, and crayons—bringing attention to societal injustices and oppressive systems.

His self-taught journey, enriched by workshops, residencies, and community engagements, defies the institutional demands of artistic conformity, offering a quiet challenge to the status quo. Working from his home and studio, Munandi—meaning 'friend' in his mother tongue iciBemba—Mutale’s artworks, though seemingly simple in materiality, serve as profound reflections of a rapidly changing world.

Kalinosi's Endotherm (2006) and Abracadabra (2006) epitomise his artistic ethos, each capturing narratives of adaptation, resilience, mortality, and illusion. Endotherm embodies the struggle for survival amidst unfamiliar terrains and temperatures, while Abracadabra delves into the fragile nature of illusions, prompting reflections on mortality amidst the spectacle. 

In Endotherm, the artist captures the essence of adaptation and resilience through the amalgamation of form, colour, and concept. The moody purple or mauve hue, reminiscent of twilight, evokes a sense of introspection and contemplation. It is as if the symbol itself holds a narrative of navigating unfamiliar terrains, both physical and emotional. During the artist's residency at the Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten in the Netherlands, detached from the familiar landscapes of Zambia, a profound exploration ensued and the artwork was conceived. Delving into the mysteries of animal survival during harsh winters, the concept of endothermy emerged as a central motif. Just as these animals regulate their internal heat to withstand external challenges, humans too navigate the complexities of their environments, adapting and evolving in the face of adversity. Endotherm serves as a metaphorical mirror, reflecting not only the resilience of the natural world but also the human capacity for endurance and transformation. It invites viewers to contemplate their own journeys of survival and adaptation, resonating with themes of isolation, resilience, and the enduring human spirit.

‍Created at the same time, Abracadabra emerges as a poignant exploration of mortality and the fragility of illusion. Inspired by the reflection on the tragic demise of a renowned American magician on stage, the artwork delves into the darker undercurrents of performance and spectacle. The magician's fatal encounter with an unsuspecting audience member, leading to the rupture of a vital organ, serves as a grim reminder of the transient nature of life and the unforeseen consequences that lurk beneath the surface of entertainment.

Through Abracadabra, the artist bridges personal reminiscences with broader societal and political commentary. Childhood memories of enchanting visits from magicians to school assemblies resurface, juxtaposed with the chilling reality of a performer meeting his end in the midst of a mesmerised audience. The parallels between these seemingly disparate narratives underscore the intertwined relationship between illusion and reality, performance and peril.

At its core, Abracadabra prompts reflection on the nature of societal illusions and political spectacles. Just as audiences willingly suspend disbelief to indulge in the enchantment of magic tricks, so too do individuals and societies often succumb to the allure of grand narratives and political theatrics. Yet, lurking beneath the surface lies the sobering truth of vulnerability and mortality; a reminder that even the most mesmerising illusions are fleeting in the face of harsh realities.

In its sombre beauty, Abracadabra serves as a poignant meditation on the human condition, urging viewers to confront the illusions that shape their lives and contemplate the fragile balance between spectacle and substance.

Mutale’s reflections beyond the artwork resonate with themes of transience and the inevitability of forgetting, offering insights into the ephemeral nature of human experiences and the enduring power of artistic expression. Through his musings, Mutale invites viewers to confront societal illusions, contemplate the human condition, and embrace the complexities of existence with empathy and introspection.

‍‍The untitled artworks in the collection reflect on the ways in which, within his process, some symbols have no attached or preconceived concept before their nascence. They exist merely because they reflect a feeling or observation which has not been named before it has been presented. This is a challenge to the hyper-categorisation of the complex spectrum of human emotionality and thus the complex spectrum of artistic expression and practice. The power of these ‘Untitled’ pieces lies in their ambiguity, offering a canvas upon which each observer can project their own experiences, interpretations, and emotions. This dynamic interaction between the artwork and the viewer fosters a deeply personal and introspective journey, allowing the art to evolve and resonate uniquely with each individual.

In a world that often demands immediate comprehension and clarity, these works stand as a declaration of the beauty found in mystery and the unpuzzled. They remind us that not everything needs to be neatly categorised or understood at first glance. Sometimes, the most profound connections are those that unfold slowly, revealing layers of meaning over time.

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