Shandu highlights socioeconomic status of farmers in SA through his art

A series of striking charcoal-on-paper artworks adorns the hallway at Bag Factory Gallery in Fordsburg, Johannesburg.

It’s an art by one of exciting contemporary artists Kenneth Shandu.

Shandu’s art that evokes emotions is part of his first solo exhibition Azilime Ziyetsheni, which means a call to continue working.

It opened on May 7 and comprises small and big pieces of charcoal on paper, dry point and a huge installation.

Born in 1993 in KwaZulu-Natal, Shandu tries to differ from other artists, exploring a rather neglected subject of agriculture and highlight the socioeconomic status of farmers in SA.

This exhibition is a visual exploration as he observes the everyday experiences of smallholder farmers along the north coast of KZN.

Shandu zooms in on realities faced by farmers, especially those who have no access to new technology in agriculture.

The part that sticks out in his works is hoe tools (igeje or umhlakulo), which is used as a metaphor for hard labour.

The hoe tool installation placed on the floor at Bag Factory has different meanings.

Its structure, which resembles a moving clock, speaks to the time we are in and also looks at the modern generation and how they received the knowledge of farming.

As he charts to Time Out, Shandu says he was inspired to look at the subject by a community of KwaMbonambi near Richards Bay where he hails from.

He says the community still believes in farming and he grew up around that environment.

“Through the exhibition I am tapping into modern life. We seem to be trapped to be consumers and not producers. Everything that one desires…one needs to go to shops to buy it. I am coming from a family background and a community that still believes in agricultural farming.

“Farming is still a culture and an activity that is practised by a lot of people. My mother was able to take me to university because of agricultural farming.

“Even the government is always encouraging people to go back to their roots but they never say anything about farming our own food. We always complain about poverty but at the same time we are the cause of it. You can’t complain if you have hands and space to farm.

“People always call for land reform but when they get the land they sell it. We lack the knowledge to understand the importance of producing our own food.”

Another outstanding artwork in the exhibition is a piece titled “Empty Promises”, which is charcoal on paper. A closer look at it shows weeds growing on top of a table and chairs.

Shandu says since he was young, officials from the Department of Agriculture and rural development have been visiting his village to listen to people’s challenges but never come back with resolutions.

He says it’s 15 years since farmers from KwaMbonambi have been waiting for resolutions from the government.

“Since there is mineral mining in Richards Bay, it affects agriculture. The soil in the area loses some nutrients and not producing quality products. Officials have come and promised people reimbursement for those who are affected and they are still waiting.

“Meanwhile, people are starting to shy away from farming because they cannot take their products to the market. The products lack quality. It is those promises that I am referring to.”

Shandu says since the exhibition opened, he has received positive response from Joburg art lovers who praised him for a refreshing concept.

His biggest wish is to take the exhibition to his area and show it to young black farmers who are instrumental in his researches about the subject.

Shandu works with a variety of materials and mediums to make drawings, prints, sculptures and installations, and he is currently busy with his master’s degree at Durban University of Technology (DUT).

He also sits in the board of the directors of African Arts Centre and is the founder of Bhuju Art and Design. He has exhibited in several group exhibitions in Durban, Stellenbosch and Johannesburg.

He received first prize at the NSA Members Exhibition in 2020 and won the recommendation prize from the PPC Imaginarium Art & Design Competition in 2019.

He was a winner of the Emma Smith Art Scholarship award from DUT and he was a top student in fine arts in 2018