Russel Hlongwane: Reimagining Tradition and Modernity

Arts Research Africa Dialogues

In this dialogue, Prof Christo Doherty, the Chair of Research in the Wits School of Arts, speaks to Russel Hlongwane, an artist whose work pushes boundaries, reshapes narratives, and bridges the often complex interplay between heritage and innovation.
Russel is a visionary South African artist, cultural producer, and filmmaker from KwaZulu-Natal. Russel’s work, deeply rooted in Zulu tradition, examines how indigenous knowledge systems intersect with global modernity. Through his multidisciplinary approach, often interrogating and reimagining the tropes of Afro-futurism, he crafts performances, installations, and films that not only challenge conventional notions of art but also provoke reflection on cultural memory, displacement, and the future of African identity.
In this episode, we explore Russel’s artistic journey, from his early years growing up in between Durban and rural Msinga, to his emergence as one of the most compelling voices in African contemporary art. A central aspect of Russel’s practice includes artistic research which informs his creative producing, design, and curatorship. Russel is a member of a number of collectives, working groups and programmes spread across the SADC region, the continent and internationally; and is on the International Advisory Board for the Prince Claus Fund. He is currently studying towards the Southern Urbanism MPhil at the African Centre for Cities at the University of Cape Town).
Russel shares how his upbringing in a province steeped in Zulu history inspired his interest in exploring ancestral wisdom, storytelling, and ritual in his work. He reveals how he uses these elements to interrogate issues of colonial legacy, globalization, and the digitization of culture.
One of the highlights of our conversation is Russel’s unique perspective on the role of performance art in society. He speaks candidly about how his live performances, often incorporating music, movement, and spoken word, aim to create communal experiences that resonate across generations. His work is a call to remember—to reconnect with histories that are often erased or misrepresented, while imagining technological futures that are deeply rooted in African cosmologies.
We also delve into his filmmaking, a medium he describes as a “meeting point of time and space.” Russel’s films are known for their experimental narratives, blending documentary and fiction to explore themes of migration, urbanization, and identity. He discusses the challenges and joys of working within an African context, where resources may be limited but the stories and creative potential are boundless.
Throughout our conversation, Russel emphasizes the importance of collaboration and community in his practice. Whether working with musicians, traditional healers, or fellow young creatives such as Lo-Def Film Factory, he views art as a collective effort to make sense of a rapidly changing world while holding onto the threads of what makes us human. Quiet Conversations · Ifu Elimnyama: The Dark Cloud Splitscreen HD · Books by Clapperton Mavhunga · Dzata: The Institute of Technological Consciousness