A Tribute to Rennie Fensham

We are heartbroken to announce the untimely passing of long-standing South African community member, Rennie Fensham on 31 May 2021. Rennie was an active member of the South African community in Hong Kong, and was well known inside and outside of the community.

Rennie was everyone’s favourite tannie (though don’t you dare call her tannie – she’s not your f@kken tannie, thank you very much). She was unapologetically herself and lived her truth out loud and in full HD. She was a wildly colourful individual who shared that colour and joy with everyone she encountered – from doormen and street stall owners to colleagues and clients. Her boundless energy, enthusiasm and laughter was infectious. A conversation with Rennie usually went one of two ways: You were either laughing so hard your sides hurt, or you felt loved, seen and heard without judgement. And if you were meeting her at the salon it goes without saying that you left feeling like a million dollars with more confidence and a better blowout than ever before.

Rennie was a dreamer and eternal optimist who always inspired others to follow their hearts and pursue their passions. We were safe in the knowledge that tannie Rennie (sorry neh!) would be behind us all the way, cheering us on. She believed in others fully and unconditionally. Her heart, much like the Admiralty MTR during rush hour, always had space for one more and she had such special relationships with so many people all over the city. With Rennie there was no distinction between friends and family. Everyone was family and she loved and accepted us all with open, tattooed arms.

Rennie, I will still be sending this newsletter to your email address today. I want to make sure that you know how special you are to so many people and how loved you will forever be - wherever you are. As a community abroad we feel extremely blessed that our paths crossed and we will always be grateful for the sparkle that you and your red lips brought to our lives. Hong Kong has truly lost a legend and today many of us feel like we have lost a tannie, friend, family member, cheerleader, confidant and stylist. The world will forever be a less interesting place with more bad hair days now that you are no longer in it.

Somnyama Ngonyama, Hail the Dark Lioness:

A Solo Exhibition by Zanele Muholi

(in conjunction with Hong Kong Art Basel 2021)

Pearl Lam Galleries is delighted to present Somnyama Ngonyama (Hail the Dark Lioness), a solo exhibition by  South African-based visual activist and photographer Zanele Muholi in collaboration with Muholi Arts Project (BaMu). Following the exhibition at the Tate Modern last year, this new exhibition features over fifty staged photographs of Muholi's portraits that they have been working on since 2012. 

Exhibition Dates:

18 May - 15 August 2021 (Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.)

Venue: Pearl Lam Galleries (6/F, Pedder Building, 12 Pedder Street, Central)

African Cooking Workshop presented by Africa Center Hong Kong - 

South African Cuisine

Join this hands-on African cooking workshop on Saturday, 5 June and enjoy an afternoon of traditional African cooking techniques, story-telling and fun. 

World Music Experience with Eli Zaelo - 26 June 2021

Join Eli Zaelo, the multilingual South African artist along with The United Band as they transport you across the globe on a first class musical journey. Your first stop is Asia with a C-Pop experience, after which you will be transported swiftly across the ocean to our beloved Africa. The evening will finish off with some Western classics. For ticket bookings and enquiries, please email tidi@tidiconsultancy.com

Free Ndebele Language Class presented by Africa Center Hong Kong 

Join these classes offered free of charge to learn more about the language and Nguni culture. Classes take place every three weeks and June classes are schedule for 5 and 26 June 2021. 

Sculptor Pitika Ntuli wins Global Fine Art People’s Choice Award in Paris for his exhibition 'Azibuyele Emasisweni (Return to the Source)'

Ntuli's use of bones and poetry have captivated the international fine art community, and he has been awarded the Global Fine Art People’s Choice “You-2″ award from the seventh annual Global Fine Art Awards (GFAA) that took place online. Ntuli’s works contain political and spiritual references and each of his sculptures is accompanied by a poem. Ntuli has curated several exhibitions and in his capacity as an artist, he has staged numerous solo exhibitions in South Africa, Germany and the United Kingdom. 

“I do not copy nor work like nature. I work with nature. Bones are vital, as in imbued with life, and it this life that they possess that possesses me when I work. We are partners. Bones, like wood, have definite forms to work with. I do not oppose their internal and external directions, I externalise their inherent shapes to capture the beauty and the truth embedded in them, in other words I empower the bones to attain their own ideal.” 

Full article available on Good Things Guy.