ABOUT THE SHOW
Exhibition Opening:
Saturday, 7th June 2025, 11 am -3 pm
Exhibition Walkabout: Saturday, 28th June 2025, 11 am- 12 pm
Exhibition Closing:
Friday, 15th August 2025
All events take place at Bag Factory Artists' Studios
10 Mahlathini Street, Fordsburg
For more information on the programme and media-related enquiries, please contact:
Bag Factory Communications Department:
nqobile natasia (they/them):
Office: +27(0)11 834 9181
Email: communications@bagfactoryart.org.za
Insta: @bagfactoryart || FB: @bagfactoryartists
Brahmacarya
A solo exhibition by Daneel Thumbiran
Curated by Abongile Matintela
7 June - 15 August 2025
Bag Factory is pleased to present Brahmacarya, a solo exhibition of work by Daneel Thumbiran, curated by Abongile Matintela as part of the Bag Factory 2025 Young/Unframed Programme, a platform dedicated to fostering young creatives by providing space for experimentation and new artistic explorations. Through a diverse range of works including large scale wheat paste mixed media pieces and art books, Daneel interprets Brahmacarya as both a personal and collective experience, considering how these principles continue to shape contemporary South African society.
Brahmacarya—the first stage of life in Hindu philosophy is a period dedicated to learning, self-discovery, and preparation for adulthood and spiritual development as the foundation for a meaningful life. This formative phase encourages individuals to unlearn preconceived notions about themselves and cultivate new knowledge, shaping their future identity through discipline and introspection.
As a South African Indian artist, Daneel’s work navigates the intersections of culture, identity, and spirituality. Drawing from his experience as a descendant of Indian indentured laborers in South Africa, he explores themes of heritage, displacement, and belonging. His practice is deeply connected to Hinduism and the South African Indian experience, using these elements to challenge the way we perceive both the world and ourselves. While Daneel has not previously explored Brahmacarya in his personal life, this exhibition serves as his first artistic engagement with the concept, allowing him to question and visualize its relevance in today’s world. Daneel’s work also addresses a broader concern which is the underrepresentation of South African Indian artists in visual arts. In a landscape where the South African Indian experience remains largely absent from contemporary artistic discourse, his work becomes a powerful act of self-definition and visibility.
“As a South African Indian artist, my identity plays a crucial role in my art. Realizing how small the community of Indian artists in South Africa is, I feel a deep sense of responsibility to explore the unique South African Indian experience. There is so much untapped potential in art that can emerge from our shared lived experiences, and I believe this is a vital aspect of the creative work I want to explore.” — Daneel Thumbiran, 2025
This show is also to recognize the importance of Daneel’s artistic inquiry not only as an exploration of personal and cultural identity but as a necessary contribution to the visual representation of South African Indian artists. Brahmacarya becomes a bridge between tradition and contemporary experience, inviting us to reflect on our own journeys of
self-discovery, education, and spiritual growth. Through this exhibition, Daneel not only asserts his place in the art world but also creates a space for others to see themselves reflected in it.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Daneel Thumbiran is a South African Indian artist whose work is deeply inspired by Hinduism, his cultural heritage, and his unique perception of life and the world around him. With two degrees in Visual Art—a BA and an Honours postgraduate degree—from the University of Johannesburg, Daneel has cultivated a distinctive voice that reflects his layered identity and rich artistic vision.
At this stage in his career, Daneel’s work draws heavily from his religious and cultural background as a foundation for creative exploration. One of his most notable projects involved interpreting the 108 names of Krishna and connecting them to everyday South African individuals. This body of work bridged his personal beliefs with the people and experiences around him, creating imagery that is both intimate and universally resonant.
As a South African Indian artist, Daneel is driven to challenge prevailing discourses in the art world while carving out a space for future generations of South African Indian creatives. His mission is to create work that not only reflects a sense of belonging for those who often feel caught between being "too white" or "too black" but also to serve as a catalyst for conversations about identity, culture, and representation. Through his art, Daneel hopes to illuminate the gaps where others might see division, building a bridge for those who feel unseen in a world that often fails to acknowledge their unique perspectives.
ABOUT THE CURATOR
Abongile Thebe Matintela, known as Abo Matintela, was born in 2000 in Butterworth, Eastern Cape. They hold a Bachelor of Social Sciences from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, majoring in Art History and Political Sciences. Growing up between Cape Town and the Eastern Cape, Abongile developed a profound awareness of history, identity, and culture, which became central to their research and artistic practice.
As a curator and coordinator, Abongile’s work is deeply rooted in storytelling and expression, using art as a powerful medium to communicate, challenge perspectives, and inspire change. Their curatorial approach subverts traditional understandings of human expression and knowledge, exploring endless possibilities for artistic interpretation. Their work engages with themes of gender, race, and sexuality, examining these within a broader human context.
Abongile is particularly invested in amplifying marginalized voices, highlighting the transformative potential of underrepresented communities when given space to create and express themselves. They see art as a bridge between tradition and contemporary discourse, fostering new narratives that reshape cultural and societal conversations. Through their curatorial projects, Abongile continues to push boundaries, creating platforms that celebrate artistic diversity and challenge existing frameworks. Their vision is to cultivate spaces where art not only reflects lived experiences but also redefines them, paving the way for meaningful dialogue and transformation.
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