July 26, 2007
Homeland is a simply-presented exhibition of 9 photographs surrounding a three-minute film piece contained in one room and is inspired by a visit the Artist has recently taken to the Northern Province of South Africa. Langa takes photographs of ordinary items from three houses he lived in during his time spent growing up in this rural area.
Frequently just one thing is central to the photograph, such as a wooden chair, but the items chosen have an importance to the Artist. The natural light that colours the photographs gives the objects an emotional life, particularly the white bedside lamp. The old pink fluffy rug that lies on the floor at an angle feels familiar. The generic nature of these household objects is reminiscent of objects the viewer may have worn out in the process of growing up. This everyday feel is brought together by the video work, Where do I begin? This is a film of passengers boarding a bus in the Artist’s hometown of Bakenberg, South Africa. Only the feet of the passengers, with their dusty practical footwear and worn socks are filmed as the pure gutsy vocals of Shirley Bassey sing out.
Frequently just one thing is central to the photograph, such as a wooden chair, but the items chosen have an importance to the Artist. The natural light that colours the photographs gives the objects an emotional life, particularly the white bedside lamp. The old pink fluffy rug that lies on the floor at an angle feels familiar. The generic nature of these household objects is reminiscent of objects the viewer may have worn out in the process of growing up. This everyday feel is brought together by the video work, Where do I begin? This is a film of passengers boarding a bus in the Artist’s hometown of Bakenberg, South Africa. Only the feet of the passengers, with their dusty practical footwear and worn socks are filmed as the pure gutsy vocals of Shirley Bassey sing out.