GOALS

January 18th | 7pm

@ Hangar, Rua Damasceno Monteiro, 12 r/c, 1170-112 Lisboa

Jabulani Maseko’s works delve into the collective black experience throughout history – a history based on the black body in conflict with society and ultimately in conflict with itself.

Inevitably, Maseko’s artistic journey is deeply personal, reflecting his understanding of self, body and their contextual interplay in the wider world. His practice is grounded in exploring personal memory, family history, storytelling and myth, with his own body serving as both medium and surface within his creations. For instance, take “Once Upon A Time” from 2010, where he employs the use of gold leaf to examine the history of mineral extraction in the context of sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, his “Disruptive Patterns” series involves working with flesh-colored plasters to draw attention to the subtler underpinnings of racial classification and how these inform the very everyday objects we interact with.

In the upcoming performance at Hangar, Maseko’s video artwork “Goals” takes center stage. This ten-minute piece unfolds against a wide winter-landscape in Switzerland, capturing Maseko’s struggle as he pushes a goalpost from one side of the frame to the other. The video cleverly plays with the idiomatic expression “moving the goalpost”, embodying a physical and metaphorical push, reflecting the artist’s journey to redefine boundaries and test the limits of the body. This work also reaffirms the artist’s way of working, which often reflects where he is geographically at any given moment. Through the act of constantly looking at his environment, Maseko often finds himself compelled to respond to the nuances of place.

Following the screening of “Goals”, the evening transitions into an interactive conversation with Jabulani Maseko. The talk will delve into the overarching theme of the body in Maseko’s work, exploring its recurrence and significance in his broader artistic portfolio. A unique exploration of the body as a site of contradictory emotions and states is promised, threading the narratives of both personal and collective memory and offering visitors an engaging and reflective experience. This immersive event invites attendees to witness the intricate layers of Maseko’s artistry, blending personal narratives, political undertones and an exploration of the environment and the human form.