February 21, 2025 - February 23, 2025
Solo Presentation by Charlene Komuntale
‘What Governs Our Understanding of Beauty?’ This question lies at the core of Charlene Komuntale’s recent body of work, where Black women are portrayed in the act of unraveling corsets - an evocative metaphor for examining the ideals and narratives historically entwined with women’s bodies. As strings are pulled and seams are loosened, layers beneath the corset are revealed, each intricately adorned with beading and embroidery, offering glimpses of what lies beneath.
Through this process, Komuntale’s work aims to reflect on the multiple dimensions of beauty. The corset, historically a symbol of aesthetic allure, is reimagined here as a site of tension: between the allure of the ideal and the lived experience of the body. Does it empower through its transformative illusion, or does it confine? Does the exaggerated silhouette grant autonomy or render the body a public spectacle? The work invites the viewer to sit with these questions, acknowledging the personal and societal layers that shape our understanding of beauty.
Rather than asserting answers, the works open space for reflection on how beauty and identity intersect with culture, history, and environment. They explore how these external forces weave through our lives, often in unseen ways, influencing not just how we present ourselves but how we see ourselves.
This exciting new body of represents a pivotal transformation in Komuntale’s artistic journey as she ventures beyond digital painting into mixed media. This innovative approach not only showcases her versatility but also enriches her creative expression while deepening her engagement with themes of beauty, freedom, and identity. Afriart Gallery is honored to present this compelling series at INVESTEC Cape Town Art Fair 2025.
https://www.investeccapetownartfair.co.za/