Percy Manyonga’s “Becoming Myself” Explores Identity Through String and Textile

Percy Manyonga’s solo exhibition, Becoming Myself, at Loft 3 Gallery presents a striking exploration of identity, authenticity, and psychological redemption. Moving beyond traditional painting, Manyonga’s thread-on-board works create material confessions that chart his personal journey toward clarity and self-realisation.

For two decades, Manyonga has been a painter and mixed-media artist, but his recent textile work marks a significant departure. These pieces showcase his willingness to experiment and forge a distinctive artistic language, separate from trends or peer conventions. Unlike many artists who struggle for recognition when breaking away from norms, Manyonga has consistently found acceptance, with his work featured in key exhibitions including FIVE BHOBH — Painting At the End of an Era at Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, and This is Our World at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe.

Becoming Myself allows Manyonga to present a cohesive body of work, with each piece occupying space in a way that commands attention. His approach transforms lines into three-dimensional forms, creating visual experiences that echo String Theory, the idea in physics that reality consists of vibrating filaments. In Manyonga’s hands, lines resemble contours on maps, anatomical tissue, or nervous systems, while retaining continuity that anchors each composition.

Notable works include SILVER LINING 1 and 2, crafted from poly-woven potato sacks, which demonstrate his expansion into unconventional materials. Pieces such as THICK FOREST evoke dense, layered landscapes, while the MEANDERING series plays with the idea of process-driven movement. MELODIOUS BIRD offers an esoteric abstraction that resists easy interpretation, and 40C presents an intense, almost primordial density. RUG illustrates the transformation of string into fabric, capturing the evolution of Manyonga’s creative process.

Portrait works like MARJORIE MEJURI and WISHFUL THINKING explore emotional and aspirational terrain, while SEARCHING THE LIGHT contrasts dark and light fabrics to emphasize form and illumination. DIAMOND FIELD features geometric patterns reminiscent of aerial farmland, and SPIDERS WEB conveys themes of entrapment and complexity. The monochromatic FANTASY presents a playful dreamscape of entwined yellow strings.

Manyonga’s exhibition is not driven by external validation. Medium, technique, and process serve as extensions of his metaphysical exploration, reflecting an unwavering commitment to personal artistic freedom. Becoming Myself is a bold declaration of independence, offering viewers an immersive encounter with the artist’s evolving language and the depth of his creative vision.

Through this exhibition, Manyonga cements his position in Zimbabwe’s contemporary art scene, joining the ranks of innovators like Gareth Nyandoro and Troy Makaza, while charting a path uniquely his own.