The base of the work is typographic, each letterform is built up from a series of modules that carry the motif of cornrows or hair braids or plaits. A major concern of research is how to speak about such modes of production as technologies, drawing parallels between African hair braiding practices and digital image making processes.

One time pointing and at other times praying, punching the air, grasping, clapping and caressing, the work is inspired by Fassie’s song of the same title, 'Memeza'.


Installation with adhesive vinyl on windows. Dimensions variable.
Installation views of Memeza at Arts House, 2022.

Nontsikelelo Mutiti is a Zimbabwean-born visual artist and educator. She is invested in elevating the work and practices of Black peoples past, present, and future through a conceptual approach to design, publishing, archiving practices, and institution building. Mutiti holds a diploma in multimedia from the Zimbabwe Institute of Vigital Arts (ZIVA) and an MFA from the Yale School of Art, with a concentration in graphic design.
- Image credit - Jasper Kettner
- Installation photos by Jody Haines