Strand by Strand by Kamogelo Machaba and Hazel Mphande explores the nuances we attach to our hair and how they inevitably shape our sense of self. The exhibition shows at Berman Contemporary on the upper floor of 223 Jan Smuts Creative Hub in Rosebank until Sun, Jun 22.

Artists Kamogelo Machaba and Hazel Mphande come together for a deeply personal exploration in Strand by Strand, an aptly titled exhibition that points to the poignancy of something we often take for granted: hair. Particularly the hair of black women and the journeys and politics surrounding it.

"The relationship black women and girls have with their hair is incredibly intricate. This relationship directly influences not only our identity but also has a profound social and psychological impact on how we present ourselves to the world," reads the exhibition statement.

Closely intertwined with the legacy of colonisation, slavery, and systemic injustice, the history of black women's hair is central to black identity. It brings to the fore Eurocentric standards of beauty and the stigmatisation of black hair as "unruly" or "unprofessional"; the widespread use of chemical relaxers, hot combs, and other treatments have been some responses to these oppressive ideals.

While discrimination still exists, the rise of the natural hair movement has been a powerful reclamation for many, with women embracing and emphasising their natural locks. Yet as the exhibition text states: "Ongoing tension between personal identity, cultural pride, and societal expectations continues to shape the way black women experience and express themselves through their hair."

Featuring the floral-inspired headpieces of multidisciplinary artist Kamogelo Machaba and the photography of Hazel Mphande, Strand by Strand is an endeavour to reclaim black hair as a source of pride, strength, and beauty. 

See Strand By Strand at Berman Contemporary at 223 Jan Smuts until Sun, Jun 22. Follow @bermancontemporary on Instagram for updates.