Nicholas Hlobo in "Johannesburg"

Nicholas Hlobo reflects on his heritage and identity in this preview of the upcoming “Johannesburg” episode from Season 9 of the “Art in the Twenty-First Century” television series.

Seen at work in his Johannesburg studio, the artist describes language as a way of connecting to his roots. “I think in English,” says Hlobo, “which was the reason I found myself trying to go into using the Xhosa language—to remind myself of where I come from.”

“Johannesburg” from Season 9 of Art in the Twenty-First Century premiered September 21, 2018 on PBS. Watch the full episode and artist segment.