Kalashnikovv Gallery Cape Town presents 3 solo exhibitions – Wim Legrand – While you were sleeping; Sophia van Wyk – The frequency of you, and Yolanda Mazwana, What her body does.
All three exhibitions run through to 28 September 2024.
And here follows some background information for each artist.
WIM LEGRAND
“While you were sleeping describes the stuff of funny dreams – funny ha-ha and funny strange, dreams both unconscious and lucid – of events and encounters unfolding in the moments between waking and sleeping, between online and (never really) offline. Within the uncertain hours and uncertain dimensions of a twilight stage, familiar, forgettable objects assemble – or disassemble – in varying states of predicament and vitality, in delicious disarrays of misplaced punchlines. Artworks function like tragicomic tableaus discovered under the bed and in the closet, hiding behind the door, frozen under the streetlamp. These are still-lifes of a sort, comprising lifeless unicorns, fabricated flowers, goofy grins hiding sharp teeth, piquant tigers, sausages and stalks, an assortment of tubes of non-descript function; all rendered in sweet hues and marshmallow pastels. With objects on edge, pierced, dazed; things decapitated, things defiant; they are reminiscent of vanitas paintings, but mortality is questionable and meaning ambiguous. They send out mixed signals, telling open-ended stories and awkward jokes, even providing sanctuary for private thoughts.”
Wim Legrand’s (b. 1978) work offers a playful take on the paradoxical strangeness of everyday reality, while commenting on our postmodern condition as victims to the barrage of information and news feeds. Mundane and forgettable objects usher the familiar into peculiar allegorical narratives, where past blurs with present and fact with fiction – setting scenes in a liminal zone, in the unfettered “now” of a dream, meanings just out of reach and continually open to interpretation. He combines painting with drawing, cartoons and pop culture with aesthetic references to North European history painting and Surrealist traditions – the post-modern world overlaid onto the art historical atmosphere in which he was raised. To date, Legrand has held solo shows in Belgium and South Africa and has participated in numerous group exhibitions across the globe. His most recent accolades include a group exhibition in Shanghai and his first solo in The Netherlands. See photo above.
SOPHIA VAN WYK
“My latest sculptures and artworks are the result of intuitive blends of iconography from ancient civilisations, popular culture and futurism, which I use to question established traditions. I create alternative portrayals of encounters and experiences in order to wonder about the possibilities to come. My process begins with clouds, commemorating days that are significant
by photographing the clouds mapped across the sky on that day, I then create sketches. I use cloud references to translate these structures into multi-dimensional art objects using materials such as wood, concrete, paint, mixed media and fabric. Through this art-making process, there is a documentation of meaningful moments both socio-political and personal” – Sophia van Wyk.
“My art-making functions as praxis, the cyclic relation between theory and practice which involves a degree of self-reflexivity. I draw on a range of inspirations – from Homer’s Odyssey, the myth of Arethusa and Alpheus to existentialist philosophy and pop psychology – to navigate space, time and consciousness. My materials resonate with my exploration around a circular economy, post-futures and the current climate crisis. This latest body of work is an attempt to contribute towards new narratives by imagining potential structures and shapes to explore new frontiers of knowledge and future worlds. My artworks can be interpreted as road signs on the journey from inner to outer world. Each piece is a quest to answer questions and gather evidence – through my interactions with the world, and my ongoing investigation into the human condition and the nature of consciousness.
My lens fluctuates between the cosmic, the socio-political and the personal. There is a strong link to materiality in my art-making. The nature of materials excites me and guides my unending
curiosity as I embark on playful explorations that celebrate these materials (from soft to hard, cement to fabric and thread). My attempt to find form through my sculptures is also an attempt at finding meaning.”.
YOLANDA MAZWANA
“In my latest body of work, encompassing both paintings and ceramic sculptures, I present a series of whimsical, balloon-like heads attached to reimagined, stylized figures tethered by strings. These creations reflect my playful approach to art-making and persona development, showcasing the flaky blob technique that both challenges and evolves my personal style.
Painting and sculpting are joyful and liberating experiences for me, evident in the tactile nature of my process. This results in uniquely crafted and visually intriguing pieces. The canvases are dominated by bold red ochre backgrounds, evoking a palpable sense of sensual and rich depth. My relationship with the color red is profound; it marks the starting point of my process and serves as a crucial element in my exploration of diverse work.
The flaky blob technique imparts a textured and emotive quality to my figures, enhancing their distinctiveness. By deconstructing the body into light flakes and strings with bent forms, I challenge traditional notions of the female figure and its anatomy. This process aims to create a new form that explores the capabilities of the female body—its sensuality, femininity, appearance, abilities, and the conditions associated with it. The idea is to understand its different components and nerve functions, exploring why women experience sensations as we do.
A striking feature of these works is the depiction of red hands. While I deliberately avoid explaining the specific condition behind these red hands, their presence is powerfully evocative, serving as a visual metaphor for emotional states and reactions. Their connection to the palms symbolizes sensitivity and responsiveness.
The female figures in my work reflect my own body and shape. The curves and roundness of my form inspire these figures, creating a deeply personal connection. This is expressed through the interplay of blobs with sharp edges, lines, and drapes, merging softness with precision. The concept of the blobs is particularly poignant, relating to the roundness that expands and creates newly established imagery. This suggests that these female figures are delicately and precariously innovated, speaking to the growth in style and technique I’ve achieved in the last two years.
Additionally, I paint nuanced female characters that represent different parts of the body, reflecting on the internal and emotional interior. These characters delve into the intricacies of the female experience, offering a deeper understanding of the internal landscapes that shape our perceptions and feelings.”
Three good reasons to visit the Kalashnikovv Gallery Cape Town.
WHAT: Kalashnikovv Gallery Cape Town – 3 Solo Exhibitions
WHERE: Kalashnikovv Gallery, 61 Loop Street, Cape Town 8001
WHEN: closes 28 September 2024 | Gallery Hours Tues to Fri 10h00 – 16h00 Sat 10h00 – 14h00
INFO: E capetown@kalashnikovv.com | Visit
