Buqaqawuli Nobakada (b. 2000) is a South African-born and based artist who specializes in depicting the honorable practice of craft in the self-fashioning, and self-presentation that Black women adopt. The artist calls this practice “performative visuality,” noting the meticulous care that goes into the makeup, hairstyling, and clothing choices that Black women make. Nobakada considers beauty an element of luxury, sexual liberation, and confidence.
This exhibition, which the artist has titled Her Ladyship, Countess of Cumakala, is Nobakada’s first solo exhibition in the United States. Through her lace paper artworks and Black feminist perspective, she brings forth beauty in womanhood and sisterhood.
The artist and Curator of African Collections and African Diasporic Art Sidney Pettice have written essays in conversation with each other. This publication, available for purchase, will allow patrons to engage with the artist’s practice, both in the fabrication of works and in intuitive writings.
