Art Exhibitions

The North-West University (NWU) Gallery in Potchefstroom launched its latest exhibition, ‘Songs of the Self’, on 14 July 2025. This solo exhibition by Mozambican-born artist Ezequiel Mabote runs until 15 August 2025 in the university’s Main Gallery (Building F16G, Hoffman Street).

Through a collection of vivid woodblock prints and expressive landscapes, Mabote orchestrates a visual meditation on identity, belonging, and the human condition. The exhibition encourages viewers to reflect on the self not as a fixed entity, but as something constantly shaped by psychological, social, cultural, and biological influences.

Drawing on the existential idea of “being-in-the-world,” Mabote’s work proposes that the self cannot be separated from its context. His compositions depict human figures embedded in rich, textured environments—grounded in land, held by community, and formed through ritual and shared practice.

At the heart of the exhibition lies the spirit of ubuntu—the belief that a person is a person through others. Mabote visualises this philosophy through scenes of dance, music, and communal gatherings, portraying identity as a shared rhythm rather than a solitary song. His works resonate like a chorus: voices, bodies, and colours converging to express togetherness and interdependence.

‘Songs of the Self’ is both celebratory and introspective, offering a space where viewers can contemplate their place in the world. Whether through the lines of a dancer’s movement or the glow of a shared sunset, Mabote’s art speaks to the deep bonds that shape who we are.

The NWU Gallery, located in a distinctive grey building with a red roof at 11 Hoffman Street, continues to support a diverse range of contemporary artists and critical dialogue through its programming.

Address: North-West University's Potchefstroom Campus

Tel: 018 299 4341