Jason Langa

Jason Langa is an emerging contemporary figurative painter and printmaker based in Johannesburg, South Africa. His primary medium is oil painting and in other works he uses the medium of printmaking in his various techniques. His immediate community is the primary source of inspiration for his subjects and, coupled with his use of colour to represent skin tones, he aims to celebrate the lives and times of his subjects whilst creating an emotional connection between his work and the viewer.

Langa has exhibited prints and participated in various projects related to the Artist Proof Studio, such as the Student Lockdown Collection (2020), the Green Economic Recovery project (2020) as well as the Waste Reclaimers, at Documenta 15, Kassel, Germany, as part of the collaborative print exchange between APS, UJ and UP students (2022). He has also exhibited his paintings at Denzil's & Jo Gallery, Melville (2022) and collaborated with Doktor and Misses and contributed to the design of a set for Netflix (2022). His work has also been featured in physical publications, including Nokutela Mdima-Dube 1873-1917 in collaboration with Asanda Sizani and Legacy Creates (2022) as well as in issue 13 of the publication Iqhawe Magazine (2023).

Artist Statement

My work is a direct representation of the everyday lives of the people I meet. I seek to celebrate their existence in the most mundane ways, as well as the things they do to console and rejoice themselves. I draw inspiration from their lifestyles, putting into perspective the different ways people seek joy and tranquility, regardless of the circumstances and problems they may face, which often prevent them from succeeding in their endeavors. Color is used in my work to evoke various emotions. I believe that each person

perceives a certain color differently, and I hope to use that to provide an emotional connection and layer to my work.

I am intrigued by the difference we have as human beings, due to my experiences and personal relationships with my subjects. Although we share many similarities, I am always looking for the characteristics that set us apart, from behavioral patterns to emotional intelligence and consciousness. These aspects continue to be the driving force behind the inspiration for this body of work.

Blue skin tone is a big theme in my work and it largely evokes notions of royalty and power, implying that as black people we deserve an existence we can be proud of. My use of soft pastel colours for the backgrounds is meant to evoke nostalgia in the viewer, reminding them of times in their lives when they felt the most mental and physical stability.