Born in Worcester into a politically active family, Hlongwane has firsthand experience of violence: he was incarcerated as political prisoner a number of times, a criminal attack has left him with one blind eye, and his brother was killed during political protests in 1985. This installation reflects on this violence, and specifically on the practice of ‘tawuza’ in prisons. During this humiliating process, prisoners are made to jump in order to see whether they hold any concealed good or weapons.

‍

David Hongwane first attended classes at the Community Arts Project. In 1988 he won a bursary to study in Italy, graduating from the Academia di Belle Arte in Perugia. He has exhibited internationally and his work is included in collections world-wide. He has completed sculptural commissions and won the Mayibuye Centre Sculpture Competition. He teaches art as a volunteer in youth organisations and in youth prisons in order to help keep young people off the streets.

‍