Alexis Preller – Mythical Lexicon – is the current exhibition at the Norval Foundation, and Chief Curator Heba El Kayal and artist, curator and writer Karel Nel walk us through this impressive retrospective.
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Heba explains that while Alexis Preller is well known locally, he deserves to be recognised globally amongst other great world artists. This extensive retrospective is intended to do that and show the world what South Africa offers at an international level.
Karel, together with Esme Berman, had published the two-volume Alexis Preller biography in 2009 and has always had a strong focus on this artist’s work. Mythical Lexicon is in effect an autobiographical retrospective, with the work dating back to post World 2, in which Preller served as a medic in the front lines. His work reflects the pain and trauma experienced at that time.
The exhibition unfolds through the different periods of his life such as work done in the Seychelles. He also dealt with internal conflicts relating to his homosexuality, which was illegal in South Africa at that time. Pain and transcendence is a continuing theme. This theme culminates in his famous last work, The Marathon, made after providing testameny to Parliament in 1968 in its inquest into homosexuality. He moves into a period of joy and acceptance about who he is.
Karel comments on the scale and size of the exhibition, comprising 97 works from local museum, and private collections including those from the Norval Family. This gives one a unique opportunity to see Preller’s narrative – how his life unfolds and the influences of of Egypt and Africa cultures.
Heba reminds us that on weekdays, the Norval offers curator guided tours on the hour from 9am to 4pm, and on Saturday and Sundays at 11am. Currently the Norval has two other exhibitions featuring the works of Walter Oltmann and Cinga Samson.
NOT to be missed! Another reason why Cape Town ranks 3rd in Time Out’s World’s Best Cities for Culture.
WHAT: Alexis Preller – Mythical Lexicon
WHERE: Norval Foundation, 4 Steenberg Road, Tokai, Cape Town
WHEN: until 25 November 2024 |
INFO: T 087 654 5900 | E info@norvalfoundation.org  | VISIT | Instagram @norvalfoundation | Facebook NorvalFoundation | LinkedIn NorvalFoundation | See also Alexis Preller: Mythical Lexicon opens at Norval FoundationÂ
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