“cash 4 gold”
a solo exhibition by jakinda boya.
Johannesburg, South Africa — The Manor is thrilled to announce yet another exhibition for the books. Cash 4 Gold is an exhibition with Johannesburg-based artist, Jakinda Boya, that explores themes of value, aspiration, and exclusion within the socio-economic and cultural landscape of Johannesburg, the “City of Gold.” The phrase, often seen on signs around the city’s bustling CBD, speaks to a transactional culture where everything — dreams, identity, and survival — is up for exchange. This exhibition draws on these motifs, weaving a class commentary that critiques elitism and consumerism, not just in South Africa, but also within the global art world.
The tension between the working class and the bourgeoisie is a recurring theme. By juxtaposing the aesthetics of luxury with the grit of urban life, Boya critiques systems of wealth and privilege while reclaiming agency for marginalised voices. This duality is also emotional: the pieces aim to unsettle viewers, prompting reflection on the structures that define worth, both socially and economically.
Through works like “Guluva in Gucci” and “Find Lost Lover,” Boya captures the tension between high and low art, mirroring the legacy of classism and exclusion in South Africa. The materials themselves — collages, works on recycled cardboard, and traditional canvases — become part of the narrative. The use of found and affordable materials stems from necessity, reflecting Boya’s lived experience as a Black middle-class youth excluded from both the economy and the art world. These materials, however, take on their own meaning, disrupting hierarchies of value and earning recognition in prestigious spaces.
Join us for the opening of “Cash 4 Gold” on Friday 6 December 2024 at The Manor’s exhibition space and concept store at 44 Stanley, Johannesburg. The exhibition will remain open from 06 December at The Manor from 9:00 to 17:00 daily and 9:00 to 15:00 on Sundays and Public Holidays.
About Jakinda Boya
Jakinda Boya (b. 1995, Johannesburg) is a multi-disciplinary artist working across painting, collage, performance, and video. His practice explores themes of identity, race, social class, and Black masculinity, drawing from his upbringing in post-apartheid South Africa. Boya blends traditional materials like oil paint with accessible ones, such as paper and inkjet prints, creating a dialogue between high and low art. He is particularly inspired by the expressive street art of Johannesburg’s untrained artists, whose raw energy informs his portraits, conveying a range of emotions from strength to vulnerability. In his recent works, Boya critiques consumerism and the commodification of value, blending collage and found materials into his paintings. This exploration of urban life and exclusion reflects his personal experiences as a Black middle-class youth in South Africa. Boya’s work challenges elitist notions of value in art while amplifying marginalised voices. He continues to live and work in Johannesburg, where his practice remains rooted in resilience, cultural vibrancy, and the ongoing search for identity in a complex world.
