Jamal Nxedlana (1985)

Prototype 3

Jamal Nxedlana (1985)

Prototype 3

2023 | Inkjet print on Hahnemuehle Photo Rag Baryta | 120 × 80 cm

What you immediately notice about this work of art are the clothes labels. These labels refer to the huge piles of discarded clothes that are shipped to Africa from Western countries. They are often sent as ‘donations’, but in actuality most of these items can no longer be used.

The labels show where they were produced: ‘Made in China’, ‘Made in Spain’, etc. Nxedlana thus illustrates the path that these products take, which are produced for the Western market, discarded after use and then end up in South Africa. The labels symbolise post-colonialism, which can be felt in the artist’s home country. Post-colonialism is one of the main themes of Nxedlana’s work.

Show me more