Phumulani Ntuli’s Solo Picnic at the Zoo Lake is a multi-layered work on paper that seamlessly integrates patterns, painting, collage, and pronto lithography into a cohesive and compelling composition. Currently on display at David Krut Projects in New York, this work is part of the South African Artists in New York Campaign, which aims to promote emerging South African artists, who have collaborated with the David Krut Workshop, in the United States.
This work represents the culmination of Phumulani’s collaboration at the David Krut Workshop from March to April 2024. During this period, he honed his skills in blending watercolor monotype and Chine collé techniques, refining his approach in image and mark making to achieve his artistic vision. This process mirrors his previous visit in 2023, where he also dedicated several weeks to mastering intricate methods of constructing narratives, by overlapping sheets and incorporating colour fields in his compositions.
After two months of collaboration, Phumulani streamlined his artistic process utilising Tosa Washi, a traditional Japanese paper, adorned with double-layered pronto lithography and polka dots. Polka dot patterns are a recurring motif in his work; he meticulously cuts out various shapes for characters and objects within his scenes, assembling them on a perspex plate. This plate not only supports the cut pieces but also retains a hand-painted watercolor layer that infuses life and detail into the overall print. The watercolor adds depth, enhancing the otherwise flat polka dot pattern. Once run through the press, these two layers merge to create a striking final image.
Phumulani skilfully balances two printing processes—one characterized by flatness and the other by nuanced washes and subtle tones. By merging these techniques, he creates layers that are not only visually striking but also deeply narrative. Each layer telling a story, combining technique and meaning in a way that invites viewers to explore both the imagery and its underlying themes.
The artwork reflects on solitude while commenting on the phrase ‘Doing it for the grams,’ which hints at the extremes people go to, to present a curated version of their reality for social media. ‘Solo Picnic at Zoo Lake’ reframes Johannesburg’s Zoo Lake, located in the Johannesburg suburbs, as a remote oasis where our daily preoccupations are masked by the superficial tropes of urban life, symbolised by the presence of domesticated wildlife. – Phumulani Ntuli
Ntuli has developed a unique methodology that combines traditional printmaking with contemporary artistic practices, resulting in works that resonate with both historical and modern themes. His ongoing exploration of materials and techniqgues reflects a commitment to pushing the boundaries of printmaking, creating layered pieces that invite viewers to engage with their complexity and depth, technically and thematically.
Solo Picnic at the Zoo Lake not only showcases Phumulani’s technical prowess but also engages with contemporary themes that resonate with today’s societal dynamics.