KNYSNA NEWS - It's difficult not to be drawn in by Phillemon Hlungwani's etchings, the technical brilliance intertwined with the level of dedication in portraying tales depicting rural life, his knack at capturing and nurturing the xiTsonga culture on canvass. It has a way of making anyone familiar with the area, to feel like home.

Hlungwane's works are currently on show at Knysna Fine Art gallery in an exhibition entitled ''Nwansati wa matimba a nga helu mongo" translated as "A strong woman never gives up", which opened on Thursday 14 March.

During the opening remarks, gallery owner Trent Read remarked on how much he had watched an artist of the highest order grow, adding "He is the best."

Hlungwani was present on the opening night and art lovers lined up to gain some insight into the man behind the works.

'I don't think in English'
Speaking to Knysna-Plett Herald (KPH), Hlungwani shared why he chooses to have xiTsonga so deeply entrenched and engraved in all his works: "I don't think in English and that is why my titles are all in xiTsonga. Besides, if I don't promote my language, who will?" he said before reflecting on a time when elderly people where he grew up were ashamed of speaking their indigenous language and wear their African regalia.

"Where I went to school our classes were under a tree and I remember my mom walking past wearing Xibelani (African dress) and my peers were laughing probably because they were either taught that African clothes are not beautiful or they were just scared," he said.

Hlungwani, who is originally from Thomo Village in Limpompo, said the exhibition was inspired by his mother.

"She could've given up but she didn't because for strong women that is never an option. You see why the works are in xiTsonga – sometimes that's the only language our parents understand."

'A way of reliving childhood'
He confided in KPH that his depicting scenes from the rural life is his way of reliving his childhood, upbringing and cherishing his fondest moments through his art. Pointing to a drawing in which two boys are riding a bike, he said, "This over here is me and my brother. I had my mother next to me to help remember some of these very key moments."

The internationally renowned artist said he intends to promote his culture in every corner of the world. "I am fortunate to have a platform to educate and reach out to people in my language. Even when I die there will traces that I existed and people would've known a thing or two about xiTsonga."

The works range in scale from small to monumental and collectors already made purchases on the opening night.

The exhibition runs until past the Easter holidays.

Nwansati wa xiviri a nga heli mongo I (A real woman doesn’t give up).

Nwansati wa xiviri a nga heli mongo II (A real woman doesn’t give up).

Hita fika ku tlava ka dyambu I (We will arrive by daybreak).

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