Misleading first impressions is the theme underlying three current exhibitions at Southern Guild, DAOR Contemporary and Ebony/Curated Cape Town.
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Two solo exhibitions at the Waterfront – at Southern Guild and DAOR Contemporary are both strikingly similar in that first impressions have to be seriously reconsidered. And there was another pleasant surprise at Ebony/Curated Cape Town.
Navel Seakamela has a solo exhibition of mixed-media portraits titled “Who We Should Not Be” at Southern Guild. These striking portraits were completed during the gallery’s new residency programme.
What at first appear to be very direct and graphic images, in fact, this series of large-scale works depict people in moments of quietude, repose and vulnerability.
Nkgopoleng Moloi: “The portrayal of black bodies at rest refuses racist traditions that continue to render black bodies invisible. Within this work, the intimate and the political converge in a deeply meaningful way.”
WHERE: Southern Guild, Silo 5, Silo District, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001
WHEN: until 28 July 2022
The first impression of this solo exhibition by Emily Rae Smith Labuschagne is that one is entering a wistful, children’s fairy story,
In Things Evaporate But Never Disappear, playing her pastel palette like the pied piper, Emily wanders into a world of nostalgia chasing the ephemeral sensations of childhood to wherever they lead.
It’s seemingly all too bland and pretty. Until one starts looking at the work individually or in small groups.
The pastel palette still allows for strong mark making and interesting juxtapositions of shapes and texture.
Beneath their innocent layer of frosting and delight, there’s a deeper and sometimes darker sense of the world hinted at by the interplay of her images with their titles.
WHERE: DAOR Contemporary, 4 Coodes Crescent, Port of Cape Town, Cape Town 8001
NEWS FLASH: Artist Walkabout & Painting Giveaway
You are invited to a walkabout with artist Emily Rae Smith Labuschagne at the DAOR Contemporary Art Gallery on Saturday 9 July at 11AM. You are welcome from 10AM until 2PM. DAOR encourages you to arrive a little earlier to explore the exhibition before the walkabout.
Also see Instagram for the competition to win a painting by the artist!
Modern Masters IV, is a selection of Modern works created by important South African artists prior to 2000
Curated by Marc Stanes, features the following notable artists: Walter Battiss, Alexis Preller, Barbara Grace Burry, Peter Clarke, Ernst De Jongh, George Diederick During, Hannes Harrs, Jane Tully Heath, Dezso Koenig, Alfred Neville Lewis, Donald Madge, Leonard Matsoso, Nathaniel Mokgosi, Sam Nhlengethwa and Cecil Skotnes
The series of 10 woodcuts by Cecil Skotnes grabbed my attention. There is a subtle and lyrical quality to the work that impressed me and is very unlike some of the later woodcuts that I was more familiar with.
The show is a treasure chest of nostalgia and runs through until the end of July.
WHERE: Ebony/Curated Cape Town, 67 Loop Street, Cape Town 8001
WHEN: until the end of July
Misleading first impressions? Do a double take – and enjoy!
Southern Guild [03] DAOR Contemporary [04] Ebony/Curated [08]
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