Hiatus a group exhibition invites artists and viewers alike to ponder the fluidity of the self, opens at at EBONY Cape Town on Wednesday, 20th September from 6 – 8 pm Cape Town.
Our social identity is not our own. Though emerging at an individual level, the formation of identity is continuously influenced by the broader social fabric. Fostered, influenced, and regulated by existing norms – the social dimension of selfhood informs an understanding that our idea of ‘self’ comes into being as it is presented to others. In this way, our identity is in fact not something that we are, but something that we repeatedly do. Therefore, the concept of ‘self’ is not a fixed entity, but rather a dynamic and evolving process that is constantly influenced by our interactions with others.
As we strive to maintain a particular kind of social relatedness, individuals enact a specific kind of self-performance. This can be seen as an intricate map of social convergences, but also as a mirror reflecting society at large. Conceived as an ongoing development, one’s social ‘face’ is sensitive to the perceptions and judgments of the ‘self’ as imagined by others.
It is for this reason that the concept of a social contract serves as an unwritten agreement that shapes the expectations between individuals and their communities. When the implicit agreement that dictates these expectations is compromised, it can leave one feeling subliminally disconnected. Subsequently, people find themselves performing a pre-existing script.
As artists occupy the tension between artistic expression and audience engagement, they conscientiously navigate the balance between their individual self and the performative aspect of the public self.
‘Hiatus’, a pause, or interruption in the continuity of daily life, seeks to create an environment where the realisation of self can manifest in moments of reflection. Delving into the intricate dance between personal identity and societal performance, this group showcase seeks to champion the visual vocalisation of individuality. In this space, artists push the boundaries of creative expression, highlighting the evolving nature of the self.
This exhibition features the works of Kimathi Mafafo, Anico Mostert, Boemo Diale, Balekane Legoabe, Yolanda Mazwana, Mathabang ‘Matty’ Monethi, Buqaqawuli Thamani Nobakada, Kamohelo Blessing Rooi, Liam Van Der Heever and Agnes Waruguru.
Inviting artists and viewers alike to ponder the fluidity of the self, Hiatus celebrates the richness of individual identity and the capacity to transcend the limitations imposed by a splintered social framework.
WHAT: Hiatus a group exhibition
WHERE: EBONY CAPE TOWN, 67 Loop Street, Cape Town
WHEN: Opens on Wednesday, 20th September from 6 – 8 pm
INFO: Tel: +27 (0)21 424 9985 | info@ebonycurated.com | Visit
PHOTO: YOLANDA MAZWANA (1996- ) Intertwined, (detail) 2022 Acrylic and Oil Paint on Fabriano, 113 x 83 cm
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