It is well known that Zebras have stripes to confuse their predators. Zhi Zulu’s pink Zebra in her work Zebra Crossing, 2019 however, seems to have been confused by it’s own tactics having taken the city’s notion of a Zebra crossing a bit too literally and winding up perplexed by it’s inner city surroundings, munching on a traffic light in resignation.
The city is a disorienting space for anyone – humans and animals alike. Johannesburg is one such city and has been known by many names, Joburg, Jozi, the city of gold, but most suitably in this scenario as the ‘concrete Jungle.’ A mix and match of natural and urban, old and new, home-grown and cosmopolitan. This Zebra stands out, and captures a feeling that many of us experience when faced with the streets of inner city Johannesburg. A sort of surrendering to the unpredictable busy-ness of ones surroundings.
Zhi Zulu created this silkscreen print as her first collaboration with the David Krut Workshop (DKW) this year – 2019 – and debuted the work at the Turbine Art Fair. Zhi was assisted through the silkscreen process by printer Roxy Kaczmarek. With Zhi’s passion for education and the arts, and how they intersect with culture to create knowledge, it’s no wonder her vibrant image has such an appeal. Zhi has a skillful knowledge of how to balance seemingly mismatched colours, which was especially considered in the silkscreen process – resulting in some surprise results, beyond the artists control. This is common of the printmaking practice, and was a unique experience for the digital artist.
Visit the David Krut Workshop to see this limited edition silkscreen print today, available framed and unframed. E-mail [email protected] for pricing and availability.
Take a listen to the podcast below where I was in further conversation with Zhi Zulu about the process and concept behind the work.