ARTIST STATEMENT
My Left Hand Is My Son
By Nolan Stevens
The latest body of work by abstract artist Sibusiso Ngwazi, produced during his residency at the Asisebenze Art Atelier (AAA) in Johannesburg, is a compelling collection titled My Left Hand Is My Son. Created on recycled paper and canvas, the collection engages viewers with two unexpected elements: first, an unforeseen aesthetic, and second, a profound intellectual idea rarely explored in contemporary art.
Inspired by a father’s yearning for his child, this work stems from Ngwazi’s separation from his six-year-old son due to the long hours he dedicates to his craft. Reflecting on the moments they shared in the studio, Ngwazi recalls the joy and spontaneity of their interactions.
Much of the mark-making in this collection draws from what he describes as “childlike strokes”—bold, unguarded, and confident. These strokes aim to capture the creative purity embodied in his son’s drawings, achieving a spontaneity that is both unplanned and whimsically unexpected.
