VISUAL artists Senzo Shabangu and Vumelani Buthelezi have teamed up to produce a brain-teasing exhibition called Transference.

The exhibition opened last week at the Johannesburg Art Gallery and is curated by Portia Malatjie.

Both artists are known for pushing boundaries when it comes to subject matters and approach to art. In Transference, Shabangu and Buthelezi have moved out of their comfort zones.

Transference explores new artistic interpretation of the cosmopolitan trade of trolley pushers that has become a new phenomenon of business in the inner city of Johannesburg.

Using the medium of printmaking, painting and a sculptural installation, their work connects in conversation the dynamics of this transportation system, whilst relating it to their own experiences of living and working in the city.

They look at the growing trend of people using the services of trolleys to move around the city. They follow the daily life of inner city trolley workers who make their money from transporting heavy goods or luggage for people.

The theme of moving within the city and being moved by trolley is a common and recurrent theme in all of Shabangu's work.

Shabangu is also fascinated by urbanisation and the challenges around it. Born in Driefontein, Mpumalanga, Shabangu always believed that Joburg city is "naked" in that it does not hide its problems or weaknesses.

He illustrates the pressure of living and working in the city and how these are constantly "forced down" on people. The results of these pressures are prostitution and crime.

Using oil, old clothes and canvas, Buthelezi depicts their (women's) struggles - t heir ups and downs push him to wake up every day and paint. The exhibition is on until April 22.