Norval Foundation presents ‘Billie Zangewa: Breeding Ground’

Renowned Malawian-born, South African-based artist Billie Zangewa’s latest exhibition Breeding Ground, curated by South African curator and arts professional Anelisa Mangcu, runs until 11 September 2025 at the Norval Foundation.

This powerful body of work invites audiences into the intimate, multifaceted realms of motherhood, growth, care, creation, community, and transformation.

Through her iconic silk collages, Zangewa explores both literal and symbolic forms of nurturing, reflecting on the cycles of life – from birth and infancy to development, maturity, and decay – and often reflects her own experiences as a Black woman in a globalised world, addressing issues of race, gender, and personal freedom.

Her art has been exhibited internationally, garnering recognition for its unique style and its ability to merge fine art with textile traditions.

Silk, the artist’s primary medium, plays a vital role in conveying the exhibition’s themes. The delicate yet resilient fabric serves as a metaphor for both the fragility and strength of the identities and experiences depicted in Zangewa’s work.

Each piece, created through meticulous layering and stitching, reflects the complexities of personal and collective history.

Central to the exhibition is Zangewa’s tribute to Johannesburg – the city that ignited her creative journey in 1997. The dynamic energy of the city, particularly the experience of commuting through Johannesburg’s taxis, provides a backdrop for many of the works on display.

Zangewa’s keen observations of the city’s architecture, shifting light, and vibrant colours are woven into her collages, capturing the vibrancy and resilience of urban life. Through her use of textiles, symbols, and references to past and present techniques, she pays homage to her cultural heritage, blending tradition with contemporary realities.

“It’s an exciting occasion for Norval Foundation to be able to showcase Billie Zangewa’s work. Zangewa’s intricate and delicate silk collages evoke a sense of peering into her life – a deeply personal insight, but also one which speaks to larger themes of identity and lived experiences, of black femininity, domestic experiences and motherhood,” says Caroline Greyling, Norval Foundation Museum Director.

“Many of her works have been seen abroad, and it’s an honour to be able to showcase her work here in South Africa.”