The Alchemy of Colour : Group show

22 Jun - 22 Aug 2025

In The Alchemy of Colour, The Melrose Gallery presents a selection of colour-driven works by bold voices in contemporary African art.The exhibition presents a large number of artists from The Melrose Gallery stable, including the likes of Dr. Noria Mabasa, Dr. Esther Mahlangu, Carol Cauldwell, Ndabuko Ntuli, Paul Blomkamp, Mederic Turay, Aza Masongi, Oscar Korbla Mawuli Awuku, Sifiso Ka-MKam and many others.

 

Each artist in this exhibition approaches colour not just as pigment but as energy — a living force that shapes space, emotion, and experience. Their works celebrate transformation: of the surface into depth, instinct into structure, imagination into visual harmony, and two-dimensional colour into three-dimensional form.

 

From Blomkamp's transcendent abstractions, where radiant hues pulse with meditative rhythm, to Turay's explosive compositions, textured with soul and complexity — colour becomes a tool of movement and meaning. Awuku's body-painted forms, captured in photographic stillness, echo ancestral futurism and symbolic power.

 

The sculptural works add another dimension to this exploration of colour's power, with Dr. Noria Mabasa's sculptures demonstrating how colour can emerge from earth and clay, transforming raw materials into vibrant, spiritual presences.

 

Set in the heart of winter, The Alchemy of Colour offers warmth, dynamism, and contrast — reminding us that colour can shift mood, space, and thought. This is a celebration of visual richness and an invitation to feel deeply and look again, whether experiencing colour's flow across canvas or its embodiment in sculptural form.

The Alchemy of Colour

In The Alchemy of Colour, The Melrose Gallery presents a selection of colour-driven works by bold voices in contemporary African art.The exhibition presents a large number of artists from The Melrose Gallery stable, including the likes of Dr. Noria Mabasa, Dr. Esther Mahlangu, Carol Cauldwell, Ndabuko Ntuli, Paul Blomkamp, Mederic Turay, Aza Masongi, Oscar Korbla Mawuli Awuku, Sifiso Ka-Mkame and many others.

Each artist in this exhibition approaches colour not just as pigment but as energy — a living force that shapes space, emotion, and experience. Their works celebrate transformation: of the surface into depth, instinct into structure, imagination into visual harmony, and two-dimensional colour into three-dimensional form.

From Blomkamp's transcendent abstractions, where radiant hues pulse with meditative rhythm, to Turay's explosive compositions, textured with soul and complexity — colour becomes a tool of movement and meaning. Awuku's body-painted forms, captured in photographic stillness, echo ancestral futurism and symbolic power.

The sculptural works add another dimension to this exploration of colour's power, with Dr. Noria Mabasa's sculptures demonstrating how colour can emerge from earth and clay, transforming raw materials into vibrant, spiritual presences.

Set in the heart of winter, The Alchemy of Colour offers warmth, dynamism, and contrast — reminding us that colour can shift mood, space, and thought. This is a celebration of visual richness and an invitation to feel deeply and look again, whether experiencing colour's flow across canvas or its embodiment in sculptural form.

  • Paul Blomkamp, Untitled, 2025
    Paul Blomkamp
    Untitled, 2025
    Acrylic on Canvas
    90 x 110 x 5 cm
    R 149,500.00
    Courtesy of The Melrose Gallery
  • Keith Calder, Thrown
    Keith Calder
    Thrown
    Bronze
    67 x 24 x 31.5 cm
    R 134,170.00
    Courtesy of The Melrose Gallery
  • Aza Mansongi, No Exit, 2022
    Aza Mansongi
    No Exit, 2022
    Acrylic on cotton canvas
    120 x 120 cm
    $ 3,910.00
    Courtesy of The Melrose Gallery
  • Arno Morland, Littel Miracle, 2023
    Arno Morland
    Littel Miracle, 2023
    Bronze mounted on stone
    20,5 x 20 x 12 cm
    Edition of 12 (#1/12)
  • Arno Morland, Undead man, 2023
    Arno Morland
    Undead man, 2023
    Bronze mounted on stone
    19,3 x 28, 6 x 10,5 cm
    Edition of 12 (#1/12)
  • Arno Morland, Undead man, 2023
    Arno Morland
    Undead man, 2023
    Bronze mounted on stone
    19,3 x 28, 6 x 10,5 cm
    Edition of 12
    R 19,300.00
  • Arno Morland, Littel inside voice , 2023
    Arno Morland
    Littel inside voice , 2023
    Bronze mounted on stone
    21,5 x 24 x 14 cm
    Edition of 12 (#1/12)
  • Carol Cauldwell, Boy with Puppy, 2025
    Carol Cauldwell
    Boy with Puppy, 2025
    Bronze
    Sculpture: 70 x 60 x 92 cm
    Plinth:
    Edition 8 of 8
    186,780.00
    Courtesy of The Melrose Gallery
  • Corne du Plessis, #6, 2023
    Corne du Plessis
    #6, 2023
    Ceramic Porcelain
    25 x 16 x 16 cm
    Edition of 5 (#3/5)
  • Corne du Plessis, #6, 2023
    Corne du Plessis
    #6, 2023
    Ceramic Porcelain
    25 x 16 x 16 cm
    Edition of 5 (#1/5)
  • Corne du Plessis, #6, 2023
    Corne du Plessis
    #6, 2023
    Ceramic Porcelain
    25 x 16 x 16 cm
    Edition of 5
    R 9,800.00
  • Marieke Prinsloo-Rowe, Mountain Girl, 2023
    Marieke Prinsloo-Rowe
    Mountain Girl, 2023
    Bronze
    38,5 x 8,3 x 22,2 cm
    R 143,500.00
  • Marieke Prinsloo-Rowe, The Reader, 2023
    Marieke Prinsloo-Rowe
    The Reader, 2023
    Bronze
    68 x 40 x 27 cm
    R 195,500.00
  • Aza Mansongi, Dilemme , 2021
    Aza Mansongi
    Dilemme , 2021
    Collage and acrylic on canvas
    120 x 120 cm
    Courtesy of The Melrose Gallery
  • Bercia Roos, Mr Chelsea Square Pants, 2025
    Bercia Roos
    Mr Chelsea Square Pants, 2025
    Mixed Media
    48 x 42 x 10 cm
    R 8,625.00
  • Bercia Roos, Pascale Flamboyant, 2025
    Bercia Roos
    Pascale Flamboyant, 2025
    Mixed Media
    45 x 18 x 18 cm
    R 8,625.00
  • Bercia Roos, Rusty Celine, 2025
    Bercia Roos
    Rusty Celine, 2025
    Mixed Media
    46 x 22 x 22 cm
    R 7,975.25
  • Bercia Roos, Oldtimer Nelson, 2025
    Bercia Roos
    Oldtimer Nelson, 2025
    Mixed Media
    38 x 16 x 16 cm
    R 7,273.75
  • Oscar Korbla Mawuli Awuku, Red Hoodie, 2021
    Oscar Korbla Mawuli Awuku
    Red Hoodie, 2021
    Acrylic on canvas
    100 x 120 cm
    $ 4,784.00
  • Oscar Korbla Mawuli Awuku, Untitled, 2021
    Oscar Korbla Mawuli Awuku
    Untitled, 2021
    Acrylic on Canvas
    130 x 101 x 2 cm
    Courtesy of The Melrose Gallery
  • Oscar Korbla Mawuli Awuku, Wave Rider, 2021
    Oscar Korbla Mawuli Awuku
    Wave Rider, 2021
    Digital Archival Photo on Hahnemuhle Rag
    84 x 60 cm
    91.5 x 64 x 5 cm (framed)
    Edition of 10
    $ 4,050.00
  • Paul Blomkamp, Light of Lights, 2025
    Paul Blomkamp
    Light of Lights, 2025
    Acrylic on Canvas
    100 x 100 x 5 cm
    R 138,000.00
  • Paul Blomkamp, The Last Iceberg #5, 2025
    Paul Blomkamp
    The Last Iceberg #5, 2025
    Acrylic on Canvas
    50 x 50 x 5 cm
    R 37,950.00
  • Paul Blomkamp, The Last Iceberg #4, 2025
    Paul Blomkamp
    The Last Iceberg #4, 2025
    Acrylic on Canvas
    50 x 50 x 5 cm
    R 37,950.00
  • Paul Blomkamp, The Last Iceberg #7, 2025
    Paul Blomkamp
    The Last Iceberg #7, 2025
    Acrylic on Canvas
    50 x 50 x 5 cm
    R 37,950.00
  • Paul Blomkamp, The Man Who Talked to Himself, 2025
    Paul Blomkamp
    The Man Who Talked to Himself, 2025
    Acrylin on Canvas
    150 x 120 x 5 cm
    R 126,500.00
    Courtesy of The Melrose Gallery
  • Paul Blomkamp, The Man Who Stepped Forward, 2025
    Paul Blomkamp
    The Man Who Stepped Forward, 2025
    Acrylic on Canvas
    50 x 50 x 5 cm
  • Paul Blomkamp, The Man Who Stepped Forward, 2025
    Paul Blomkamp
    The Man Who Stepped Forward, 2025
    Acrylic on Canvas
    50 x 50 x 5 cm
  • Paul Blomkamp, The Man Who Stepped Forward, 2025
    Paul Blomkamp
    The Man Who Stepped Forward, 2025
    Acrylic on Canvas
    50 x 50 x 5 cm
  • Paul Blomkamp, The Man Who Stepped Forward, 2025
    Paul Blomkamp
    The Man Who Stepped Forward, 2025
    Acrylic on Canvas
    50 x 50 x 5 cm
  • Christiaan Diedericks, Bloodroots II (Elegy: The Pretender), 2017
    Christiaan Diedericks
    Bloodroots II (Elegy: The Pretender), 2017
    Etching and aquatint on 300 gsm Hahnemuhle etching paper
    40 x 20 cm
    14/20
    R 12,910.00
  • Sfiso Ka-Mkame, Mother, 2019
    Sfiso Ka-Mkame
    Mother, 2019
    Oil pastel on paper
    120 x 90 cm
    R 82,455.00
  • Mederic Turay, The People's Voice, 2024
    Mederic Turay
    The People's Voice, 2024
    Mixed Media on Canvas
    250 x 180 cm
    Courtesy of The Melrose Gallery
  • Mederic Turay, Welcome Home, 2024
    Mederic Turay
    Welcome Home, 2024
    Mixed Media on Canvas
    100 x 100 cm
    Courtesy of The Melrose Gallery
  • Mederic Turay, The speaking Totems , 2024
    Mederic Turay
    The speaking Totems , 2024
    Mixed Media on Canvas
    150 x 150 cm
    $ 22,770.00
    Courtesy of The Melrose Gallery
  • Noria Mabasa, Untitled , 2025
    Noria Mabasa
    Untitled , 2025
    Bronze
    70 x 26 cm
    Edition of 8 plus 2 APs
    $ 12,500.00
  • Noria Mabasa, Untitled , 2025
    Noria Mabasa
    Untitled , 2025
    Bronze
    82 x 28 cm
    Edition of 8 plus 2 APs
  • Papytsho Mafolo, All Lord All Honor , 2021
    Papytsho Mafolo
    All Lord All Honor , 2021
    Mixed media on canvas
    200 H x 238 W x 05 cm
    $ 14,750.00
    Courtesy of The Melrose Gallery
  • Cecilia Wilmot Ballam, Woman on Horse
    Cecilia Wilmot Ballam
    Woman on Horse
    Bronze
    65 x 52 cm
    7/12
    R 38,330.01
  • Corne du Plessis, #6, 2023
    Corne du Plessis
    #6, 2023
    Ceramic Porcelain
    25 x 16 x 16 cm
    Edition of 5 (#4/5)
  • Noria Mabasa, Untitled , 2025
    Noria Mabasa
    Untitled , 2025
    Bronze
    71 x 24 cm
    $ 12,500.00
  • Noria Mabasa, Untitled , 2025
    Noria Mabasa
    Untitled , 2025
    Bronze
    68 x 24 cm
    $12,500.00
  • Ella Cronje, Shadow (Geppetto)
    Ella Cronje
    Shadow (Geppetto)
    Patinated bronze on granite base
    40 x 22 x 25 cm
    Edition of 10
    R 37,380.00
  • Paul Blomkamp, The Last Iceberg, 2025
    Paul Blomkamp
    The Last Iceberg, 2025
    Acrylic on Canvas
    50 x 50 x 5 cm
    R 37,950.00
  • Simon Zitha, Sibongile , 2021
    Simon Zitha
    Sibongile , 2021
    Bronze and stone
    118 x 48 x 48 cm
    62 kg
    R 320,000.15
  • Simon Zitha, Face Up , 2020
    Simon Zitha
    Face Up , 2020
    Bronze
    50 x 47 x 84 cm
    R 220,000.00
  • Ndabuko Ntuli, Incasa I, 2024
    Ndabuko Ntuli
    Incasa I, 2024
    Mixed Media
    50 x 36 x 36 cm
    R 57,500.00
  • Carol Cauldwell, Rabbit Mom and Baby, 2025
    Carol Cauldwell
    Rabbit Mom and Baby, 2025
    Bronze
    Sculpture: 44 x 32 x 76 cm
    Plinth:
    Edition 4 of 15
    88,170.00
    Courtesy of The Melrose Gallery
  • Ndabuko Ntuli, Incasa II, 2024
    Ndabuko Ntuli
    Incasa II, 2024
    Mixed Media
    50 x 36 x 36 cm
    R 57,500.00
  • Keith Calder, Goal keeper
    Keith Calder
    Goal keeper
    Bronze
    39 x 105 x 43 cm
    Edition of 10 (#1/10)
    R 306,700.00
    Courtesy of The Melrose Gallery
  • Christiaan Diedericks, Monstrum est Scriptor Festum IV (State III), 2017
    Christiaan Diedericks
    Monstrum est Scriptor Festum IV (State III), 2017
    Linocut on 300gsm Hahnemühle etching paper
    28 x 78 cm
    11/15
    R 11,600.00
  • Arlene Amaler-Raviv, Untitled, 2020
    Arlene Amaler-Raviv
    Untitled, 2020
    Oil on canvas
    71 x 71 cm
    Courtesy of The Melrose Gallery
  • Arlene Amaler-Raviv, Untitled, 2023
    Arlene Amaler-Raviv
    Untitled, 2023
    Acrylic on Canvas
    70 x 70 x 3 cm
  • Arlene Amaler-Raviv, Footprint, 2019
    Arlene Amaler-Raviv
    Footprint, 2019
    Oil on Canvas
    180 x 180 x 4 cm
  • Arlene Amaler-Raviv, Peaceful, 2020
    Arlene Amaler-Raviv
    Peaceful, 2020
    Acrylic on Canvas
    110 x 175 x 3 cm
  • Arlene Amaler-Raviv, WAITING GAME, 2022
    Arlene Amaler-Raviv
    WAITING GAME, 2022
    Oil on canvas
    150 x 150 cm
    R 109,250.00
  • Arlene Amaler-Raviv, PROTEA, 2022
    Arlene Amaler-Raviv
    PROTEA, 2022
    Oil on canvas
    110 x 173 cm
    R 90,850.00
  • Arlene Amaler-Raviv, DOWNTOWN JOBURG, 2019
    Arlene Amaler-Raviv
    DOWNTOWN JOBURG, 2019
    Oil on canvas
    140 x 140 cm
    R 103,500.00
  • Zolani Mahola

    Profile of Zolani Mahola Image Credit: Gary Van Wyk

    Zolani Mahola

    Biography:

     

    Zolani Mahola is a South African Icon, Singer, Storyteller, Songwriter, and Actress. Zolani, ‘The One Who Sings’ believes in the transformative power of storytelling and that our central story about ourselves and our world changes our reality.  Using words, music and her extraordinary theatrical background, she is a powerful advocate for connection.  Connection to self, the natural world and to each other.