SILINDOKUHLE SHANDU, UNTITLED
VILIFIED : “Untitled” As each lock of hair fell, I was confronted by emotions, experiences, and memories that had been intertwined within its strands. The detached hair became a vessel of stories, representing the chapters of my life and the knowledge accumulated along my journey. By severing it from my body, I gained a fresh perspective, a newfound freedom to reinterpret my own narrative, and a profound opportunity for self-reflection.
Bio:
Born in 1998, Johannesburg-based artist Silindokuhle Shandu weaves together themes influenced by her upbringing in a small mining town and her diverse experiences across urban, suburban, and rural South Africa. She completed her diploma in Fashion Design and Technology at Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria and was nominated as a 2024 ANNA AWARDS top 12 finalist. Raised in Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal, and eMalahleni, Mpumalanga, Shandu's artistic journey reflects the complex interplay between womanhood, human existence, industrial landscapes, and the contrasting worlds she has encountered.
Her work captures the nuances of her experiences, largely shaped by the women who raised her. Through her use of color, texture, and composition, Shandu invites viewers to explore the tension between belonging and otherness, familiarity and the unknown. "My work is the vehicle I've chosen to reflect on my personal journey and the intricate connections between self-discovery and the ever-evolving environment."
INSTAGRAM : @imisebenziyami
