Quintessence – five artists from different walks of life hailing from five different parts of the country have come together in one exhibition at Art.b Gallery. There is a strong thematic connection between all five. All the artists are extremely introspective. They are exploring their own psyche and its response to and part that it plays in the general zeitgeist of society today. The exhibition opens on Saturday 6 April.
Sinalo hails from Johannesburg.
Having had a life changing car accident which left him unable to follow his dreams in Sport and Academia. He speaks fondly of his growth as an artist and how through art he has been able to reinvent himself. He has been able to hone his craft into the unique blend of canvas and bead works that is his unique artistic repertoire. The Yellow Series for Sinalo represents hope and celebrates second chances, a concept that resonates deeply with him and his personal life experiences. The yellow series also nostalgically captures the innocence of childhood and how the future is full of endless possibilities and aspirations. He suggests that dreams are meant to be nurtured and that even in life’s tragedies there is always hope and second chances to change these dreams.
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- Sinalo
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- Omoleno
Omolemo lives in Bloemfontein.
She uses portraiture to comment on identity, of being a young African woman. She suggests, “As our identity is often characterized by our appearances, race, gender and beliefs, we tend to find our sense of belonging in the world through these aspects.” She reflects on her journey of recognizing and embracing her personal and social identity and the impact conforming to a norm has on her psyche. Her work explores the challenges of being a woman in South Africa,
The use of patterns, shapes and objects in her background helps embody her message: The colour black in the portraits represents power, and humility and reflects her quest to overcome colourism. The work also investigates women in certain spaces as objects of “the gaze”.
Elizabeth Brooks lives in Cape Town.
She is influenced by the energy of Karel Appel and the spontaneity of child art. She uses photographic images from the media which act as vehicles for simplistic yet complex expression and help to write the subtext. She uses the creative process of shifting charcoal lines in order to suggest change, time passing, uncertainty and to create textures. Mixed media helps her to merge drawing and painting. She uses the square as a symbol of personal space/ isolation, inside/ outside. Her work is inherently dark, using black to suggest the unknown, the psyche, the masked/ unmasked. She allows the unintended to play a part in the creative process as it allows her work to change and grow. She suggests that nothing in life is static; art is not static.
Lucy Cobern hails from Grahamstown.
Lucy’s body of work is titled “Inheritance of Loss. It consists of two series’. It is a journey of self discovery/rediscovery. Working through depression, dark spaces, cold winters, anxiety, bad thoughts. The images are portraits of self, naked in a landscape. She explores how her body changes over time. How marriage, children, operations, failed procedures, womanhood, duty, burden, has shaped her, mentally and physically. There is Duality in this body of work. On the other hand she also explores how transformative physical activity, running and yoga, and drawing can be. The first series is very dark, vulnerable, soul searching, with deep introspection.. The second series, is more reflective. It draws from yoga as a vehicle for transformation, liberation. She uses rocks, mountains, nature, all the things that ground her. She begs the question: Which path are we on? There is a sense of freedom, survival and optimism
Asiphile Lethuli lives in the Transkei
Asiphile explores his Identity through the meditative act of drawing himself and others. His work is intensely spiritual both in gesture and Iconic Symbolism. Through the use of Charcoal and paint, Asiphile explores his identity through his deep spiritual bond with his creator and his brothers in faith. There is a strong sense of togetherness and of striving towards some kind of ascendancy. Escaping to another realm through prayer and meditation, away from worldly circumstance.
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- Elizabeth Brooks,
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- Lucy Cobern
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- Asiphile Lethuli
Head out to Belville on Saturday 6 April for the opening of Quintessence. Also interesting to know that the Rust-en-Vrede Gallery and Clay Museum have an opening of five ceramic artists on Saturday as well, and during the week, Mondays to Friday, the Sanlam Art Gallery has Sutha Ke Fete: The Art of the Basotho Blanket. MANY reasons to head to the Northern suburbs!
WHAT: Quintessence – group exhibition
WHERE: Art.b Gallery, The Art Association of Bellville, The Library Centre, Carel van Aswegen Street, Belville, Cape Town 7530
WHEN: 6 – 26 April 2024 | Opening 10:30 for 11:00 6 April
INFO: T 072380 7268 | E artb@artb.co.za | VISIT | For more information on the full programme for First Thursdays at the Silo District, visit first-thursdays.co.za
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