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Viewing Cinga Samson: Nzulu yemfihlakalo

The Wick Culture - Cinga Samson
‘Nzulu yemfihlakalo’, White Cube Mason's Yard
7 July – 26 August 2023
© the artist. Photo © White Cube (Ollie Hammick)

Above Cinga Samson ‘Nzulu yemfihlakalo’, White Cube Mason’s Yard 7 July – 26 August 2023 © the artist. Photo © White Cube (Ollie Hammick)

The Wick Culture - Cinga Samson
Uqobo lwakhe
2023
Oil on canvas
(210 x 260 cm) | 82 11/16 x 102 3/8 in.
(214.5 x 264.5 x 7 cm) | 84 7/16 x 104 1/8 x 2 3/4 in. (framed)
© the artist. Photo © White Cube (Nina Lieska)

Above Cinga Samson Uqobo lwakhe 2023 Oil on canvas (210 x 260 cm) | 82 11/16 x 102 3/8 in. (214.5 x 264.5 x 7 cm) | 84 7/16 x 104 1/8 x 2 3/4 in. (framed) © the artist. Photo © White Cube (Nina Lieska)

The Wick Culture - Cinga Samson
Ebembe ya Nioka, Esilaka Somote (deatil)
2023
Oil on canvas
(240 x 310 cm) | 94 1/2 x 122 1/16 in.
(244.5 x 314.5 x 7 cm) | 96 1/4 x 123 13/16 x 2 3/4 in. (framed)
© the artist. Photo © White Cube (Nina Lieska)

Above Cinga Samson Ebembe ya Nioka, Esilaka Somote (deatil) 2023 Oil on canvas (240 x 310 cm) | 94 1/2 x 122 1/16 in. (244.5 x 314.5 x 7 cm) | 96 1/4 x 123 13/16 x 2 3/4 in. (framed) © the artist. Photo © White Cube (Nina Lieska)

Above Cinga Samson ‘Nzulu yemfihlakalo’, White Cube Mason’s Yard 7 July – 26 August 2023 © the artist. Photo © White Cube (Ollie Hammick)

The Wick Culture - Cinga Samson
Injani Imvuko II
2023
Oil on canvas
17 11/16 x 13 3/4 in. (45 x 35 cm)
18 13/16 x 14 7/8 x 2 9/16 in. (47.8 x 37.8 x 6.5 cm) (framed)
© the artist. Photo © White Cube (Nina Lieska)

Above Cinga Samson Injani Imvuko II 2023 Oil on canvas 17 11/16 x 13 3/4 in. (45 x 35 cm) 18 13/16 x 14 7/8 x 2 9/16 in. (47.8 x 37.8 x 6.5 cm) (framed) © the artist. Photo © White Cube (Nina Lieska)

The Wick Culture - Cinga Samson
Ebembe ya Nioka, Esilaka Somote
2023
Oil on canvas
(240 x 310 cm) | 94 1/2 x 122 1/16 in.
(244.5 x 314.5 x 7 cm) | 96 1/4 x 123 13/16 x 2 3/4 in. (framed)
© the artist. Photo © White Cube (Nina Lieska)

Above Cinga Samson Ebembe ya Nioka, Esilaka Somote 2023 Oil on canvas (240 x 310 cm) | 94 1/2 x 122 1/16 in. (244.5 x 314.5 x 7 cm) | 96 1/4 x 123 13/16 x 2 3/4 in. (framed) © the artist. Photo © White Cube (Nina Lieska)

Above Cinga Samson ‘Nzulu yemfihlakalo’, White Cube Mason’s Yard 7 July – 26 August 2023 © the artist. Photo © White Cube (Ollie Hammick)

Cinga Samson: Nzulu yemfihlakalo
White Cube Masons Yard

7 July – 26 August 2023
www.whitecube.com/gallery-exhibitions/cinga-samson-nzulu-yemfihlakalo

Prepare to be transported into the world of South African artist Cinga Samson as he unveils his new body of work at White Cube Mason Yard. Completed in his Cape Town studio, the exhibition includes large and small-scale paintings that explore the idea of spirituality and ritual. Between heaven and earth, the works create a sense of another world, an intangible metaphysical realm that impacts human existence.

‘Nzulu yemfihlakalo’ is a borrowed term from an isiXhosa phrase which loosely translates to ‘the depth of mystery’ and is used to express devotion while also being a description of God. Leaving the door open to interpretation and spirituality, Samson’s work is hyperreal with a hallucinatory quality that creates a feeling of the unknown. With piercing blank white eyes, a sense of the sublime dismisses the viewer’s gaze.

Bringing the viewer back down to earth, cultural references are scattered throughout the works. Samson’s works are figurative in nature with objects or memento mori frequently appearing, such as bouquets of proteas – the national flower of South Africa. In ‘Nzulu yemfihlakalo’, the human form is equal to nature and drives forward together in the creation of life.

Viewing BLACK VENUS

The Wick Culture - Amber Pinkerton Photo Booth, Sabah, Girls Next Door, 2020, © Courtesy the Artist and ALICE BLACK.

Above Amber Pinkerton Photo Booth, Sabah, Girls Next Door, 2020, © Courtesy the Artist and ALICE BLACK.

The Wick Culture - Ayana V. Jackson, Anarcha, 2017 © Courtesy of the Artist and Mariane Ibrahim.

Above Ayana V. Jackson, Anarcha, 2017 © Courtesy of the Artist and Mariane Ibrahim.

The Wick Culture - Carla Williams, Venus, 1992-1994 © Courtesy of the artist.

Above Carla Williams, Venus, 1992-1994 © Courtesy of the artist.

The Wick Culture - Delphine Diallo, Highness Blue (Hybrid 1), 2011 © Courtesy of MTArt and the artist.

Above Delphine Diallo, Highness Blue (Hybrid 1), 2011 © Courtesy of MTArt and the artist.

The Wick Culture - Ming Smith, Instant Model, 1976 © Courtesy of the artist and Pippy Houldsworth Gallery, London.

Above Ming Smith, Instant Model, 1976 © Courtesy of the artist and Pippy Houldsworth Gallery, London.

The Wick Culture - Ming Smith, Me as Marilyn, 1991 © Courtesy of the artist and Pippy Houldsworth Gallery, London.

Above Ming Smith, Me as Marilyn, 1991 © Courtesy of the artist and Pippy Houldsworth Gallery, London.

The Wick Culture - Widline Cadet, On a Clear Day, I Thought I Saw Forever, 2020 © Courtesy of the artist.

Above Widline Cadet, On a Clear Day, I Thought I Saw Forever, 2020 © Courtesy of the artist.

The Wick Culture - Ming Smith, Grace on Motor Cycle, 1978 © Courtesy of the artist and Pippy Houldsworth Gallery, London.

Above Ming Smith, Grace on Motor Cycle, 1978 © Courtesy of the artist and Pippy Houldsworth Gallery, London.