Russel Hlongwane has been appointed as the executive director of the KwaZulu-Natal Society of Arts.
Image: Liswa Ndlovu
Russel Hlongwane has been appointed executive director of the KwaZulu-Natal Society of Arts.
Hlongwane's appointment marks a significant moment for the institution, bringing in a practitioner whose work has consistently engaged the complexities of contemporary cultural life in South Africa.
A Durban-based cultural producer, he is known for a distinctive, multidisciplinary practice that moves fluidly across cultural research, film, creative producing, design theory, curatorship, writing, and performance. His work often takes the form of installation, shaped by an ongoing inquiry into the intersections of heritage and modernity, and the ways in which culture and tradition inform black life in South Africa.
His projects have been presented widely, both locally and internationally, with exhibitions and platforms spanning Europe, Africa, the United States, and Latin America. Among his notable achievements is the experimental film Ifu Elimnyama: The Dark Cloud, which received the Jury Prize at the Sharjah Film Platform in 2019.
Alongside his artistic work, Hlongwane has contributed extensively to academic and art discourse through published writing, as well as participation in panels and symposia focused on curating and urbanism. He currently serves on the international advisory board of the Prince Claus Fund in the Netherlands and is pursuing an MPhil in Southern Urbanism at the University of Cape Town’s African Centre for Cities.
Hlongwane’s professional experience also extends into consultancy, where he has worked with cultural institutions and government departments to strengthen creative ecologies. This focus on collaboration and institutional development aligns closely with the mission of the KwaZulu-Natal Society of Arts, positioning him well to lead the organisation into its next chapter.
Speaking on his vision for the KZNSA, Hlongwane said:
“My priority is to re-establish an institutional practice grounded in rigorous exhibitions and a considered public programme. I also intend to revitalise the shop and café as destination spaces in their own right. Central to this is ongoing dialogue with partners, funders, staff, membership, and the broader artistic community.
"I am aware of the demands involved in sustaining work of this kind. It requires sustained collective effort between the KZNSA Gallery and its constituents, but I believe it is achievable. Last but not least, I wish to acknowledge and express my gratitude to all those whose commitment and labour have sustained this organisation and brought it to its current point.”