Andile Dyalvane is Guided by ‘Ancestral Whispers’

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As a connoisseur of art that speaks to the soul and resonates with personal experiences, I find Andile Dyalvane’s exhibition at Friedman Benda, titled “OoNomathotholo: Ancestral Whispers,” truly captivating. The vibrant vessels, each telling a unique story, are more than just art; they are a visual testament to the artist’s life journey and his deep connection with tradition and ancestry.

Andile Dyalvane’s latest collection is on display at Friedman Benda, showcasing the South African artist, healer, and spiritual leader’s work. Through a series of textured and vivid containers, this exhibition visually communicates themes of resilience and bravery. By blending tradition with innovation through craft, Dyalvane seamlessly combines historical significance and modern storytelling to create something fresh and meaningful.

As I hold each artifact from “OoNomathotholo: Ancestral Whispers,” I can feel the tales they carry, passed down through generations. The name itself echoes with ancestral wisdom, symbolizing the deep connection between the Xhosa people and their land, mirrored in the intricate designs and vivid hues these pots display. Each piece is crafted from clay drawn from the rivers near Ngobozanza, my very own birthplace nestled in the Eastern Cape.

Incorporating knobs and cracks, the artist combines traditional Xhosa scarification methods with symbolic ruin, representing resilience amid personal and shared sorrow. Crafted following his brothers’ demise, Dyalvane turned to clay as a means of dealing with his feelings. “There was something to tap into from that initial rupture,” he shares with Designboom. “From there on, I started intentionally causing damage — but such control isn’t feasible,” he adds. “The act of tearing and moving them reflected the grief I was experiencing. Therefore, purposefully, I cracked them at the base.

In 2020, the artist produced one hundred pots, which were distributed among one hundred households as a tribute to “the spirits, the echoes, and the timeless scents of their parents’ way of life.” Embracing community and connection, he found beauty in “unintended happenings.” In the crossroads of personal grief and detachment from ancestral territories, Dyalvane uses sculptural creations to carve a route towards shared recovery.

OoNomathotholo: Ancestral Whispers is now on view at Friedman Benda through November 2, 2024.

Friedman Benda
515 W 26th St 1st Floor,
New York, NY 10001

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2024-09-16 23:55