What No Eye Has Seen Solo Exhibition by Khakhalethu Gxiya

BNAP Foundation is pleased to present What No Eye Has Seen, the first solo exhibition by Khakhalethu Gxiya, recipient of the 2026 Blessing Ngobeni Art Prize. Presented at CIRCA Gallery Johannesburg from 14 November to 12 December 2026, with the gallery opening at 10am, the exhibition brings together a new body of paintings exploring spirituality, human connection and the unseen dimensions of everyday life.

Gxiya's contemplative works invite viewers to look beyond the immediately visible. Drawing on Christian theology and the isiXhosa philosophy of Ubuntu, expressed in the saying umntu ngumntu ngabantu (a person becomes a person through other people), he reflects on the sacredness of human relationships and the often-overlooked tenderness of our encounters with one another.

The exhibition title references a biblical phrase concerning the mysteries of God and the dimensions of existence that extend beyond physical perception. For Gxiya, it speaks to a central conviction in his practice: that some realities, histories and connections can only be approached through a different kind of seeing, one grounded in faith, attentiveness and openness.

Rather than working towards a single visual formula, Gxiya treats each painting as an independent exploration of the medium, negotiating light and darkness, clarity and opacity, colour and composition. The accompanying exhibition text, written by Mihlali Mabo, describes works that resist easy description and reward patient, introspective viewing.

As his first solo presentation, the exhibition marks an important moment in Gxiya's artistic development, reflecting his growing technical command and conceptual confidence. It also continues BNAP Foundation's commitment to supporting emerging South African artists through visibility, mentorship and professional growth.