Unveiling the Creative Process: Unathi Mkonto’s ‘TO LET’ Residency at Zeitz MOCAA Atelier

The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA) Atelier residency programme has a long history of fostering artistic talent. The latest artist to join the prestigious residency is Unathi Mkonto, hailing from the Eastern Cape, South Africa, and currently residing in Cape Town. Mkonto’s residency, ‘TO LET’, commenced on Thursday, 22 June 2023, and invites visitors to explore the intricate dynamics of human interaction within the urban landscape.

Discovering the ‘Edge of the City’

Mkonto’s multidisciplinary artistic practice encompasses art, design, and architecture. At the Atelier, he aims to reveal the often-hidden artistic and thematic processes that shape his work. Focusing on the ‘edge of the city’, where commercial and residential lands meet, Mkonto’s ‘TO LET’ delves into the complexity of the city’s fabric. The residency creates an immersive environment for viewers, encouraging them to engage, investigate, and reflect on the impact of architecture on human interaction.

A Multifaceted Exhibition

Throughout the museum, Mkonto employs various mediums, including photography, drawings, maquettes, sculptures, and installations, to create a physical and conceptual realm that challenges our perception of the built environment. The exhibition takes visitors on an enthralling journey, providing an exclusive opportunity for the public to witness and understand Mkonto’s creative process.

The Atelier Programme: An Experimental Platform

The Atelier programme supports Cape Town-based artists in creating new works, conducting research, and developing ideas for future projects. Located on the museum’s second floor, the Atelier is an expansive space that houses multiple galleries, giving visitors a rare glimpse into the artist’s modes of production and creative processes.

Fostering Collaborative Environments

Mkonto aims to create ‘movable platforms’ during his residency, fostering a collaborative environment that invites artists and visitors alike to examine and reimagine the interplay between the bustling commercial district and the residential areas of the city. Mkonto explained, “My intention with ‘TO LET’ is to specifically question the ways in which architecture encourages a particular performance from the people living, working, and playing around it. I look forward to connecting with and observing visitors as they interact with the space.”

Continuing the Atelier’s Legacy

Mkonto follows in the footsteps of previous Zeitz MOCAA Atelier residents, such as Thania Petersen, Kemang Wa Lehulere, Haroon Gunn-Salie, and Igshaan Adams. His residency, ‘TO LET’, will run from Thursday, 22 June 2023, until Sunday, 25 February 2024. The museum is open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday, with various entry fee options and free entry for African citizens on Wednesdays between 10am and 1pm.

An Enriching Experience

The Zeitz MOCAA Atelier residency programme is a beacon of inspiration and creativity within the Cape Town art scene. Unathi Mkonto’s ‘TO LET’ promises to be an enriching experience, exploring the relationship between architecture and human interaction within the urban landscape and inviting visitors to actively participate in this thought-provoking journey.