Keneilwe Mokoena

Lives and works in Johannesburg, South Africa

Artist statement

My work explores the intersection between art and science. I’m interested in relationship between order and chaos throughout all scales of the Universe. The idea that everything, microcosm to macrocosm, mind and matter, organic and inorganic, is interconnected and interwoven into beautiful patterns created by the forces of nature within and without my control, is fascinating and deeply profound. “The 2nd law of thermodynamics dictates that everything is compelled to descent into chaos. You, me, planets, stars and distant galaxies. The deep paradox is that while everything is decaying, life (order) still persists. I am compelled to create order out of the chaos.” I am deeply interested in the natural world and how it works. I explore what it means to exist, our identity not only as humans, but as living organisms, our complex relationship with life (existence) and the human experience. We tend to think of ourselves as the measure of everything else, yet the profuse nature of reality and existence is far more complex and revealing of the interconnectedness of the universe. Our existence and identity as human beings is deeply rooted in the way we chose to co-exist with each other and the natural world. Our disconnection to the natural world is revealed in the way we relate to the world within and outside ourselves. While existence may seem illusive and immeasurably chaotic, I am compelled to create a sense of order as a means of making sense of my place in the universe.

Artwork