RICKY AYANDA DYALOYI (1974 – )

C.A.P. (Community Arts Project), Woodstock, Cape Town
Tupelo International Workshops
“10” Celebrating ten years of Democracy exhibition, National Gallery, Cape Town, 2004

Dyaloyi paints in a sophisticated, restrained palette, showing harsh environments of the people around him. Depicting daily scenes within the ghettos or townships, and documenting seemingly random events. His images are more than simple snapshots of township life as they explore the various predicaments of contemporary African society. His work reveals a preoccupation with poignant, prevalent issues such as the migration of indigenous people from rural areas to the cities in search of a better life and the industrialisation and urbanisation of the South African landscape.

Dyaloyi’s materials often reflect and echo his surroundings. He is fond of working on rough, untreated canvas, and occasionally mixes sand and dust into his paint.