Material Resonance and Historical Narrative: The Art of Ndihuho Rasengani

Born and raised in South Africa, Ndivhuho Rasengani is a sculptor, designer and creative consultant whose work embodies meditation, celebration and harmony. His artistic journey is underpinned by a rich mix of academic and practical experiences, including an MA in Sculpture from the Rhode Island School of Design (2021) and a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Architecture from the University of Cape Town (2018). Rasengani’s numerous accolades, including inclusion in the Wheaton Art Museum collection and fellowships from the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design and the Pilchuck Glass School, are testament to his talent and dedication.

Rasengani’s creative style integrates various design mediums to establish a holistic connection with materials and everyday objects. His sculptures, installations and functional works explore transformation through deconstruction and construction with a keen awareness of light as both a material and a medium of transformation. His innovative approach reconstructs industrial materials and imagery to highlight Afrocentric histories and narratives.

Ndivhuho Rasengani’s latest independent work, “Resound Now,” is a striking exploration of material resonance, space, and structure. The intricate piece features an interplay between the hard, porous nature of steel and the delicate, translucent nature of glass. Rasengani meticulously crafts his spatial models by precisely sculpting and welding steel bars and beams. The glass is then carefully placed onto the steel framework, sagging and twisting to form luminous nodes that appear both fragile and sturdy.

The visual impact of “Resound Now” is heightened by the contrast between the solid, industrial presence of steel and the graceful, fluid form of glass. The steel frame acts as a skeletal structure, supporting the glass in a delicate balance and emphasizing the tension between strength and fragility. Each glass node captures and refracts light, creating a dynamic interplay of shadows and highlights that adds to the spatial complexity of the work.

The conceptual depth of “Resound Now” lies in its ability to convey a sense of movement and change; the glass appears to be constantly changing, reflecting the natural processes of growth and decay. The work demonstrates not only Rasengani’s technical ability but also his ability to imbue his sculptures with deep artistic meaning, making it an important addition to his oeuvre.

One of Rasengani’s most well-known works is “Dwell in the Light,” a collaboration with Ashley Harris that will be exhibited at Socrates Sculpture Park in 2023. The work embodies his artistic philosophy and traces the evolution of the park from its origins as the ancestral land of the Lenape, Ka’ahnashee and Matinecock peoples, through its phase as a garbage dump and its transformation into an art space. The sculpture’s concrete base displays gradations and impressions of elements such as rope, native grasses and leaves collected from the park’s vibrant ecosystem. Made from an amalgamation of found materials, these sculptures rotate and transform in response to natural forces such as wind and rain, as well as human interaction. Through unique material connections, these works intertwine history and landscape narratives.

Ndihuho Rasengani’s artistic practice demonstrates his deep understanding of materials and space while reflecting a reverence for history and culture. His works explore the interplay of light and objects, inviting the viewer to feel the resonance of history and nature through the interaction. By weaving together different elements and narratives, Rasengani creates works that are not only visually captivating but also rich in meaning and context. His contributions to the art world continue to inspire and fascinate. He is recognized as a significant figure in contemporary sculpture and design.