50 ANDA MNCAYI A Reconsideration of Worlds

ANDA MNCAYI Eclectica Contemporary www.eclecticacontemporary.co.za

Anda Mncayi is currently exhibiting his work at Eclectica Contemporary, part of the group exhibition Counter Current which is up until the end of November. Amongst a strong cohort of engaged and challenging artists, Mncayi’s work has sparked interest and the attention of many. With intense colours, swirling graphics and imaginative depictions, the work is offered as a prompt for feeling. The works call for a reconsideration of worlds through the use of technology and relishing in imagination.

Describing his early memories of wanting to make art he explains “I’ve loved drawing for as long as I can remember. Growing up my friends and I would sit for hours on end, drawing our favourite comic book super heroes and characters from anime”. Mncayi grew up in the Eastern Cape, in East London and moved to Cape Town to pursue his interests in creative industries. Beginning with Graphic Design at CPUT before moving on to study Concept Art at the Academy of Digital Arts, where he is now, Mncayi has worked across commercial and personal projects which has helped developed his focus and distinct aesthetic.

Above: Enki, 2016, Inkjet, True Fibre Opposite Page: Connetome 2019, Inkjet, True Fibre

When describing his artistic process, he described starting with a concept first. The work then begins to take shape as he then begins to look for inspiration around the concept for ideation. Or, as he mentioned, “sometimes I will freestyle and see what I come up with”. Because of his training in design and concept art, he draws from a variety of lenses and perspectives, describing his work as entwined in alternative realities and in a conversation with futurism.

Mncayi is a passionate, committed and diligent worker, explaining that “I am usually the most happy with my latest artworks until I work on something new again. The reason for this is because I want to level up from my last piece”. It is through this incentive that he advises aspiring artists to work at it and do what they love, and suggesting that to deal with any sort of creative block the best is to just keep going. However, concurrently Mncayi also recognizes that “it could be you need rest or you should switching things up” and that sometimes, “it’s best not to force things”.

We interviewed Anda Mncayi to prod and prompt some of the ideas which his work has given rise to. Within the context of the Counter Current exhibition, which asks for a critical

consideration of materials, mediums and art practice, his answers offer further insight into his understandings, intentions and drives:

EC: Do you see art as a kind of visual vocabulary? Does it serve a greater purpose than being something that goes on a wall?

AM: The best way I can explain it at this moment in time is that my art makes people feel some type of way, in a good way. The greater purpose is how the viewer connects with it and what they see.

EC: How does background in illustration and graphic design influenced your thinking in relation to contemporary art? Do you think there’s a big difference in how people interact with the different spaces?

AM: I value my background in design. it informs how I move on the daily and my thinking process.

With the current advancements in Technology the lines are getting blurred between the different spaces, especially if you are looking at the creative industry as a whole. Contemporary art is part of it.

EC: Do you think about your work in connection to abstraction or augmented / alternative reality? What can abstraction allow for as an inclusion in your work?

AM: Yes, I do. I mostly depict spaces and forms that aren’t familiar to the eye. The imagery displays a kind of omnipresence.

EC: Where do you look for inspiration? Or who do you admire?

AM: It’s always an amazing feeling discovering a new artist that has a very high power level, I admire many and find online platforms really useful.

I have connected with various artists through social media platforms. I am grateful that so many platforms exist today enabling artists to connect and share art, in addition to traditional platforms like art galleries. This is important to me because there weren’t many art galleries in the city that I grew up in, so growing up I didn’t have any references of artists I could follow in the industry.

Control, 2016, A2 Inkjet, True Fibre

“I mostly depict spaces and forms that aren’t familiar to the eye. The imagery displays a kind of omnipresence.”

The only artist I knew of at the time that I could relate to was Loyiso Mkhize (Ta Loyd). I have had the honor of working and assisting him in some projects. To be able to witness first-hand the level of artistry he possesses is inspiring, and he is genuinely a great human being! And of course, I am also very inspired by my peers, homies that I went to school with.

EC: Can you speak a bit about the use of colour in your work?

AM: I generally apply colour depending on how I feel, so I will keep on mixing till it feels right. The digital mediums are really conducive for this because I am able to explore a much wider range of colours and variations.

EC: What is your most important artist tool? Is there something you can’t live without in your studio?

AM: My most important tool would be a pencil. Even though I could draw using my wacom, I still would rather draw on paper first.

EC: Could you describe your practice in three words?

AM: Visionary Concept Art

Exhibiting new talent can be both challenging and exciting. At Eclectica Contemporary, we are thrilled to be in a position where we are able to showcase both well established and new talent. Anda Mncayi, has sparked the attention of many gallery visitors already and will surely engage the imaginations of others to come. Counter Current has opened up a conversation around contemporary art practice, imagination and the gallery environment and we are pleased to present Anda Mncayi’s work amongst a strong cohort of engaged and challenging artists.