Collection: Siyambonga Magwentshu

As an artist, Siyambonga's work is a reflection of his ongoing exploration of human experiences, including his own emotions and the anticipation of existence. Through various mediums such as acrylic paints and mixed media, he seeks to capture the essence of what it means to be a single mother, drawing inspiration from his personal experiences without a father figure in his life.

Gender roles in South Africa has been shaped by various historical, cultural, and economic factors and they vary significantly across different communities and time periods. To highlight these roles, Siya's work is also inspired by the landscape of his homeland, the rural land and mountains of Eastern Cape, South Africa, depicting women engaged in work while men watch.

His work often incorporates symbolism, portraying figures with heads made of dice, representing the sacrifices, unpredictability of life, and risks that women encounter while raising a family alone without men's help. Each dice has its own meaning, reflected through the use of specific colors and numbers.

Ultimately, his goal as an artist is to provoke thought, evoke emotions, and inspire a deeper understanding of ourselves, emphasizing the resilience and strength of women. The characters in his paintings are not real; they originate from his imagination. He rarely relies on references when painting, preferring to dive into his creative mind.