Artists

Lunga Ntila is an emerging fine art photographer whose work is marked by storytelling, identity, and deconstruction. She became interested in photography in 2014 when she purchased her first camera – a Nikon D5200. With this camera, she delved into self-portraiture early on as it was an easier way for her to practice the skill of photography. Ntila primarily uses digital collage and photography as a means of imparting perspective on existing stories. As an archivist, she connects the dots between her own images and the disparate story references. She accomplishes this through the utilization of simple but significant elements such as colour, texture, emotion, and various settings. The basis for much of her work draws from movement, language, and sound as well as the basic composition of one’s everyday life. Casting a new light on the seemingly mundane and ordinary, Ntila gives the viewer unique access to a world reimagined.

While her career is one of considerably rapid emergence, Ntila, has garnered the attention of formidable art bodies, both internationally and locally. She has been commissioned by numerous publications and digital entities including Bubblegum Club, for whom she captured contemporary artist Lady Skollie, as well as a Mahaneela collaborative project commissioned by It’s Nice That for Dropbox. In an extensive project facilitated by Miller Genuine Draft, Ntila was spotlighted as a Cultural Trendsetter. Ntila’s work was exhibited in 2018 at the Art Book Fair in Sao Paulo, Brazil as well as at the Keyes Art Mile Summer Exhibition. The same year, Between 10and5 named her one of four South African creatives to watch. In 2019, she participated at the Investec Cape Town Art Fair; was listed as a part of the Design Indaba's emerging creatives class; had her first Solo exhibition titled Ukuzilanda at the Bkhz Gallery; and participated in the group shows Xposure, hosted by Bkhz at the Pretoria Art Museum and The Head, The Hand at Blank Project.

Biography courtesy of Africa First.