Play-Play plus Anton Karstel show opens at DAOR today!

play-play South African informal, adjective [attributive] not genuine; make-believe, imaginary.

Welcome to a world of strange characters, topical totems, anachronistic mythologies and vibrant colour. Using the mediums of paint and ceramic sculpture the artists dive playfully into the realm of fantasy in the context of a world in peril. While the exhibition appears to be a romp through a psychedelic wonderland, the work is not above being a little subversive.

Anton Karstel has been active as an artist for over 20 years. Working in a variety of media, although most consistently in paint, his career has spanned from the infamous Laager exhibition at the Africus Biennale in 1995 through to alarge retrospective with a comprehensive catalogue at SMAC Art Gallery in 2009.

Karstel’s work has two distinctive currents: paintings and installations, although both are connected by an incisive conceptualism and interest in 20th Century South African history. Karstel’s painting is characterised by a thick impasto, which disrupts the surface and dissolves the forms of his images. This breaking down of images is not, however, in service of an Impressionistic shimmer, but rather attempts to break through representation.

“I often install paintings in large combinations. I have also felt free to venture outside painting practice to do installations with found objects, photographs, etc. These projects echo the material in my paintings and include things like the church, the police and labour; subjects that haunt this country’s collective memory” – Anton Karstel.

The exhibitions will have online counterparts that will showcase work not hanging in the gallery, this is a part of DAOP’s new online exclusive content that runs alongside the show at their space in Coode Crescent.

The salvaged industrial building retains some charming elements from its previous use, as well as contemporary functionality, and provides the perfect space for events wishing to use an alternative industrial setting with contemporary South African and Pan African art on the walls.

“Major perks of being in the Port of Cape Town is that our power is always on, and there is plenty of safe parking with boom gate access and 24hr security. We’re located in the heart of Cape Town with plenty of attractions and hotels close by.”

Gallery and its courtyard are available for hire as a venue.

WHERE:DAOR Contemporary Art, Port of Cape Town, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town 8001

WHEN: opening Wednesday 7 September 2022 at 6pm to end of October 2022 | Mon – Fri 9am to 5pm or by appointment

DAOR Contemporary Gallery  [04]

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