almost here, new exhibition

Hi, I have been very (uncharacteristically) quiet lately, not because I want to, but because I have had a bit of a dilemma... I am working flat out for a new exhibition, which opens at the artEC Gallery in Port Elizabeth on 26th Feb (more about that in a moment) and I have a TON of new work, which I have been dying to post here. But it did not seem to be a good idea to preempt the opening by letting the cat out of the bag too soon, and so I have avoided posting any pics. However, I can no longer restrain myself, and as I have over 50 works completed so far, I am sure showing a few won't do any harm :)

I described the idea behind the exhibition in a previous post.

It comprises a very mixed bag in terms of size and media, some huge, some tiny, some groups, some pure painting, some mixed media painting/drawing and photography, collage and some pure photography (well, even that might not be pure in the traditional sense, as much of the work is digitally manipulated in some way.)

boy amongst thorns 300x300mm 3D layered photos behind glass

horns and thorns 1 500x500mm mixed media on canvas ... I had in mind the abuse of women in this country, a "thorny" and painful issue, whilst a man counts his wealth in cattle and they are fiercely protected. Women in rural life in this case suggested by the traditional Xhosa design used on women's clothing, in contrast with the cows protected in a box. One has to ask, which is valued more, women or cows?

Milkshake 1 400x400mm mixed media on canvas. In direct contrast with the 3rd world rural attitude to cattle in the painting above, in 1st world  we are able to have an altogether more frivolous and playful attitude, they are fun or cute or just the next rare steak, rather than life and death and symbols of wealth.

Kiss with Care  digitally altered photograph.  Again thinking of women in the context of protecting what we value, and how many women have had to put up protective barriers due to the rampant abuse in our society.

Basotho Herdsman  photograph  

cows and thorns. 700x950mm painting and photograph on canvas

tree of life-cycle 200x200mm each, 4 photographs on board,

protecting our heritage digitally manipulated photograph: in urban areas the thorny issue of  protecting our  valued property and heritage involves living behind razor wire and fences.


I will be exhibiting with my friend Dorelle Sapere, whose wonderful paintings also deal with protecting what we value, but in a less 'thorny' way than mine :) OK, so now I have given a tiny glimpse of  some of my new work, I take great pleasure in inviting you to the opening, and if you are in Port Elizabeth any time from 26th February to 8th March i would be delighted if you would visit the exhibition! 
 

4 Women Exhibition

I am currently exhibiting with 3 friends at the EPSAC Gallery in Port Elizabeth, until 13th November. I did not post any new work for the last few months because I didn't want it to be old news by the time the exhibition opened.

First some general shots of the gallery:

These two still life paintings are the very different response of me and my friend Esme to the same subject.

Esme Goosen and I set up a still life, and spent some time in the gallery during the first week, doing a painting each, which will be on silent auction. The winning bid will be revealed on the last day of the exhibition, and the proceeds will be donated to the Community Art Centre.

This is Esme's still life, 600x800mm

... and this is mine 600x500mm

here we are concentrating on our work!

Now for the individual paintings....

still life with lilies 800x900

still ... life is the blues

800x1000mm


From the Africa weeps for her Children Series:

Despite challenging circumstances and bleak prospects for the future, many of Africa’s most impoverished children carry themselves with dignity as they try and find a way through this confusing, and often hostile world. These paintings address the fact that there are so many who seem rudderless, either because they are aids orphans, (in Zimbabwe there are entire “Lord of the Flies” style villages with no adults left alive!) or have absent parents who are struggling to make a living while the kids are left to fend for themselves and establish their own set of values. They raise the important question “who will help to guide this lost generation?”

Adrift 600x600

the lost generation 8 130x180

the lost generation 7 130x180

the lost generation 5 130x180mm

the lost generation 6 130x180mm

at the precipice 300x300mm

what does it all mean? 750x950mm

My Future 900x800mm



The Raindance Series:

It often touches me when I see kids, living in some of the most desperate situations of poverty, war and social meltdown, yet they still have a carefree joyfulness about the way they play. One of the sayings I live by is:

“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.”

In their case, the storm may never pass, and yet they make the best of it… many of us in much better situations could learn from these kids!

Raindance 800x600mm

Raindance 2 1100x900mm

The writing around the edge reads "In some lives the storm may never end, and the only way to survive is by dancing in the rain"

come join the dance 700x200mm

come join the dance 2 300x250mm

raindance 4 250x300mm

raindance 3 300x250mm

come join the dance 3 250x300

Contemplation:

I guess as a reaction to a hectic lifestyle, I am often drawn to images of people relaxing, taking time to just sit and think and enjoy the moment…

contemplation 4 600x400mm

contemplation 5 600x500mm

The Salute to Single Mothers Series:

In this series I put the spotlight on the courage of the huge number of single women who take on the demanding task of earning a living, and at the same time guiding their children through the increasing uncertainty of life. This is a difficult task, even for those in 1st world countries where life is reasonably stable. But to me in Africa, where war, famine, displacement and the need to leave families in remote areas in order to seek work in the big cities are such common conditions, these single mothers are even more amazing. I have enormous respect for these women, who hold their families together against all the odds.

lead me through 2 130x180mm

torn 400x300mm

Lead us through 2 130x180mm

missing you 400x300mm

decisions of motherhood 600x500mm

lead us through 400x500mm

lead me through 400x500mm

decisions of motherhood 2 600x500mm

....and then just for fun...

miss cat on the mat 400x800mm

New works on exhibition in Cape Town.

The VEO Gallery in Capetown is currently holding an exhibition called HOPE IN MOTION: EVERYDAY HEROES. “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.”

(Christopher Reeve: “Superman” – disabled in a riding accident)

I was delighted to have 10 works accepted for this exhibition.

From the “Salute to single mothers” series:

In this series I have tried to put the spotlight on the courage of the huge number of single women who take on the demanding task of earning a living, and at the same time guiding their children through the increasing uncertainty of life. This is a difficult task, even for those in 1^st world countries where life is reasonably stable. But to me in Africa, where war, famine, displacement and the need to leave families in remote areas in order to seek work in the big cities are such common conditions, these single mothers are even more amazing. I have hopefully managed to express the courage of these women, who hold their families together against the odds. torn

400x300mm

missing you

400x300mm

lead us to safety

250x350mm

Lead me to safety

250x300mm

From the AFRICA WEEPS FOR HER CHILDREN SERIES:

In the Africa Weeps series I look at some of the little waifs around me, whose parents are dying of aids, or who have no hope of finding jobs, and they break my heart as I wonder what the future holds for them. Can we make enough of a difference in this country that we can turn things around for these kids? The series has grown to examine issues relating to the plight of women and children in so many parts of Africa, the so called "lost generation", the spectre of joblessness, and the big divide between 1st world/3rd world, rich/poor in the continent. A recurring theme is the plight of refugees, and those whose next meal depends on someone dropping it out of the sky. The new works are a further exploration of the "Africa Weeping" idea, using running paint to depict the meltdown that is taking place in so many societies and economies on the continent. Many of the children are depicted as faceless, because to the rest of the world they are often seen as faceless hungry masses rather than unique individuals. I also hoped to show the spirit of the children, who, despite facing the bleakest of futures, manage to still be children, and despite the terrible conditions so many live under, they have a dignity and cheerfulness that is a real lesson to many in wealthy societies who seem to do nothing but be dissatisfied with their lot in life. To me these kids are everyday heroes.

children of the shadows 7

300x300mm

children of the shadows 6
300x300mm

children of the shadows 5

250x350mm

who will guide us?

400x400mm

who will guide us? 2

400x400mm

africa's children need shelter 3

250x300mm