The Artist’s Library: Stephen Langa
by Danijela Cook
The Artist’s Library is a blog series of short essays that explore how the Blue House Bookstore’s resources converse with the exhibitions and collaborations here at David Krut Projects.
We would like to promote the bookstore as a resource space, encouraging audiences to engage with broader art discourse and acquaint themselves with the referential nature of art-making processes.
Stephen Langa is a Johannesburg-based, South African artist from the Limpopo province, who grew up in the small town of Makopane. He specialises in a number of different media, including charcoal drawing, watercolour and oil painting. Langa’s intimate imagery explores stories of the people, experiences and environment around him. He is greatly influenced by the impressionist of the 20th century, which can be noted in his use of colour, atmospheric light sources, and a keen awareness of space and composition. However, one such influence lies adjacent to the Impressionist period – Édouard Manet.
Langa and Manet, though separated by centuries and cultural contexts, share an interest in depicting everyday life in their art. Both artists find significance in ordinary scenes, creating arenas that invite viewers to explore deeper narratives within the mundane.
Rooted in contemporary South African life, Langa’s work often features quiet still lifes, bustling local bars, and intimate portraits that reflect the black cultural experience. His portrayal of everyday scenes is atmospheric and emotive, inviting viewers into diverse stories of black life. The images embody cultural signifiers of blackness without the socio-political weight often imposed in traditional representations. Langa’s art, with its emphasis on simple scenes and figures, encourages viewers to investigate the identities and stories behind each subject. There is an evocation of familiarity in his works, especially for those acquainted with South African culture, like local taverns, snooker games, and distinctive fashion styles.
Manet, a pivotal figure in 19th-century French art, similarly focused on everyday scenes but within the context of Parisian life. His innovative works presented modern life with a candid approach. Manet’s paintings capture the social dynamics of his time, depicting ordinary people in familiar settings like bars, cafes, gardens, and streets.
Both artists, through their distinctive naturalist styles, emphasise the importance of everyday life in their respective cultures. Langa’s use of charcoal linework and oil paintings capture the essence of simplicity and the richness of black cultural history. Manet’s work, on the other hand, captures the vibrancy and complexity of modern life in 19th-century Paris, reflecting the changing social landscape.
When looking at Langa’s oil-based monotype, Life Chosen for Me and some of Manet’s reclining figures such as Young Woman Reclining in Spanish Clothes (Tashcen, pg13), the extent of Manet’s influence becomes evident. The pose of the reclining figures is the most prominent similarity but when looking further, one begins to notice the shared palette of warm colours that create a sense of homeliness just through their tonalities, the loose brushstrokes that build up the naturalist forms and the inviting nature of the settings.
While Manet’s works often sparked controversy for his bold depictions and modern themes, Langa’s art subtly invites curiosity and reflection. Both artists, however, challenge traditional representations and bring a sense of authenticity to their subjects. Langa’s intimate, unposed portraits and Manet’s candid, everyday scenes both reveal the essence of their respective eras and cultures.
Much of this information was sourced from the monograph, ‘Manet’ published by Taschen. David Krut Bookstore stocks a wide range of Taschen publications. Each book provides extensive insight into the life and work of its subject and includes a selection of gorgeous illustrations, a must have for any art enthusiast!