Ngwana wa myemyela (the child is smiling)

Medium: Oil on Canvas

Size: 48 x 48 cm

Year: 2024

Curatorial Note

In Ngwana wa myemyela (the child is smiling), South African artist Donald Masoga captures the universal and infectious joy of childhood. This 2024 oil on canvas is rendered in the artist's signature expressive style, characterized by thick, energetic brushstrokes and a vibrant color palette. The work is a powerful exploration of identity and the human experience, themes central to Masoga's art.

The tight focus on the child's face, set against a flat, vibrant pink background, draws the viewer directly into the subject's world—a world of pure, uninhibited happiness. The explosion of color in the child's hair suggests a rich inner life and boundless energy. More than a portrait, this piece is a celebration of innocence and the simple, profound power of a smile to connect us all.