Through several mediums and processes, Zethu Maseko practices indigenising conversations around the human experience. This is specifically in relation to water and interconnectedness with the land. She works through performance, film, costume, tapestry, sound and delivering workshops. Zethu has a continuous tapestry practice, exploring and depicting alternative mythological realities or unseen worlds informed by historical truths and underrepresented stories. Much of the imagery, symbols, titles and texts in her works derive from explorations of dream visions and give focus to water, memory, geography, connectivity, spirituality, healing, belonging and ancestry. Through landscape audio samples, instrument experimentation and vocal expression, her sound works explore the pursuit of postcolonial identity, healing, and Afrofuturism, reflecting on truthful pasts and un-promised futures.
Zethu is Founder and practicing member of North London Creative Resistance. They recently launched the ‘NLCR Artist Grant’, awarding eight local artists £500 to help develop their practice and to support the creation of art projects that explore social action and community.
Recently, she led a workshop with Year 6 students at Brooklands Farm Primary school, to contributing to the building of an African Heritage Schools Resource. Resulting in a festival at Milton Keynes Art Centre; including an exhibition and drop-in workshops.
Zethu graduated from Goldsmiths, University of London in 2020 with a First Class BA Honours in Fine Art and on graduating was awarded the Nicholas and Andrie Tooth Travelling Scholarship and selected for New Contemporaries 2020. She received recognition for her workshops when she received the Young Achiever Future Leader Award from Universal Peace Federation at UK Parliament 2019. Furthermore, Zethu was a recipient of the Peter Stanley Prize 2017 and the Tuwezeshe Akina Dada Fellowship Grant 2018 along with other grants.
For a more insight into past exhibitions, residencies and events - click here.
Image Credit: Collaborative project with Photographer Hannah Beth