The abstractness of Heritage

By Asonge Sifunda

What happens when art meets heritage?

Heritage is defined as “property that is or may be inherited; an inheritance” and “valued objects and qualities such as historic buildings and cultural traditions that have been passed down from previous generations”. These definitions limit the broadness and major purpose of Heritage. Heritage isn’t meant to be simply defined; it has many layers of history and has evolved alongside humans across generations.

Heritage shapes our cultural identity, serving as a poignant reminder of how far we have come. It is what shapes our values and identities. We are our heritage, and we live our heritage, so why don’t we express it? Heritage is more than just past events, old buildings, and artefacts. It is also an internal connection with ancestors.

Luchwayito Vena, a young artist in Makhanda, held an art exhibition from 11 July to 19 July. This body of work redefines Heritage. It is constructed from intuition, feeling, and memory, and he calls it “Through New Eyes”. His paintings provide a broader and abstract understanding of heritage.

Luchwayito Vena, a young artist residing in Makhanda expresses his heritage through paintings. 

Everyone who walks into his exhibition seems to find their own meaning. His art doesn’t challenge your brain; it speaks through intuition, gesture, and abstraction. Its meaning comes to you and speaks to you, alone. Through new eyes, his work provides a different meaning. One that connects one to their own heritage. Luchwayito didn’t just hold an exhibition; he opened up his own mind for people to explore. Without words, pictures, or any objects, he expressed his heritage in its truest sense, in a way that comes from the internal complexity of human intuition and feeling. 

South Africa’s heritage is mainly about political transitions. From Apartheid, and heroic African leaders such as Nelson Mandela, to the new rainbow nation, and with culture referred to as extinct. Although these are events that have occurred in the past, they do not represent black people and their heritage. Who were we before colonisation? What were our cultural identities before urbanisation? These are not easy questions; they are layered and complex, but we do not need simple words and tangible representations to answer them.

It is important for South Africans to analyse their own history and connect to it, in their own way, “I think as black people we have watched our history being interpreted in so many different ways,” said Luchwayito, “I think it is important that we claim our cultural identities and we tell our stories”. This powerful statement emphasises the urgency for Black people to reclaim and rewrite their heritage in a way that truly speaks to them.

As black people, we can express our cultural identity in countless ways, each deeply personal and unique. We have evolved across generations, through borders, and through struggle, but in that evolution, some have lost sight of where we come from. With our history being rewritten and our past seeming so far to reach and connect to, maybe the answer lies within us. Our stories and heritage will never be extinct as long as we exist. We tell our stories through rhythm and verse, through photographs and paintings. Our heritage isn’t just something we speak or touch; it lives within us. It’s abstract, intuitive, and spiritual.

The way we connect to our roots is different for everyone. For some, it’s language, buildings, and land, but for others, it’s silence and space. For Luchwayito, that connection flows through brushstrokes. With every colour, every gesture, he reaches across time to speak with his ancestors, honouring them, becoming them, and reminding us that our past is never lost. It lives and creates through us.

The meaning behind Luchwayito Vena’s paintings embodies heritage in its broadest sense, capturing not just the tangible aspects but also the beliefs, traditions, and stories passed down through generations. Art is not meant to be perfect or easily understood; rather, it is meant to be imperfect, fluid, and felt on a deeper emotional level. In this way, Vena’s artwork reflects the true essence of heritage. It is complex, abstract, and ever-evolving. Just as heritage cannot be confined to a single definition or expression, art too embraces this fluidity, inviting viewers to connect with its layers, nuances, and the rich history it represents.