EXERCISE 4.1: First-hand perspective – reviewing public presentations of work – exhibitions, performances, screenings, etc.
ArtUnlocked, Riebeek Kasteel, Sat and Sunday 22,23 April 2023
I partook in this exhibition, which was in different venues in the village. Around 20 artists partook in this annual event. Social media, local newspapers, local Tourism organizations, and a map were used. The exhibition was spread over 9 venues to visit and visitors used a map to walk to different sites, of which two were local galleries as well as studios of artists. A catalog was not produced, but an online presence was created for the participating artists on the Instagram and Facebook platforms of the ArtUnlocked group (visit the @artunlockedriebeekvalley on IG to view posts). On these platforms artists chose to either talk about their work, others made videos or their making process, or shared images of the work to be viewed on the exhibition days.
Exercise 4.2: Critical Reflections
ArtUnlocked event:
A young photographer/artist, Amy Moses, really caught my eye. Her work was presented at her dad, Kevan Moses’s studio,( Roos Creative Workshop) together with her dad’s work and 2 other artists, one being a printer. She presented two sets of work in which she shares her concern with climate change – one is a series of photos taken on a study trip in Kew Gardens, and the other photos taken during a heat wave in London. Amy studied Plant Biotechnology and has a Bachelor in Science. She is concerned with sustainability and social justice and a co-founder of Rethinking Climate. (This is a free and inclusive universal assembly/forum The goal is to create a virtual “agora” where activists, citizens, and experts can propose actions and stimulate national governments and local administrations to build an ecologically sustainable future. Their website is: https://rethinking-climate.org/
I had a conversation with her about her work. She explained that the photographs of the swimmers were taken out of an apartment, during a heatwave in London, the swimming pool was visible through her window and she took images of the swimmers in the windows. She placed photos of plants in Kew Gardens living in enclosed hot houses, temperature controlled, next to these works. I do like this juxtaposition to make the viewer think about the effects of climate change. I enjoy her ideas about ‘rewilding – not as a human retreat from nature, but as a ‘re-involvement. To her rewilding is an enhanced opportunity for people to engage with and delight in the natural world. I also agree with her that this reconnection needs to be led by humility
EXHIBITION REVIEW
Riebeek Contemporary: Look/see May 07 – May 28, 2023 (website: rkcontemporary.com)
This exhibition shows the work of three South African female artists who explore the idea of nature as a refuge, a sanctuary – a place to find solace. The gallery always has an opening, mostly on a Sunday late morning where the artists are present, and sometimes a walkabout is organized. The gallery has a website, Facebook, and IG presence. I also receive digital material for exhibitions via email. On the Facebook and IG posts the artist was introduced by sharing the biography and or past accomplishments and exhibitions held locally or internationally. I did not attend the opening and could only visit on 21 May 2023. An opening talk was held and a transcript was shared via email. The works comprised airdrying clay sculpture works, handbuild and painted clay objects, encaustic work, mixed media textile work and a few drawings.
I loved that the gallery has painted a few walls in a beautiful green to compliment the atmosphere of a space for tranquility and implores the viewer to take note of the wonders of the natural world. I took some photos with the permission of the gallery owner, who knows that I am using it for study purposes. I agreed to share the link to this writing with her after I post it on the website. The works of the artists were mixed as the curator found kinships with different works.
What its made of, how is it made and who made it?
Clay works of self drying natural stone clay were made by Jo Roets. This artist showed a bit of her process on her IG page, before the exhibition. The naming of her works corresponds with nature.
Monique Day-Wilde used monoprint, collage, ink, coloured pencil, hand & machine stitching in her works, which were around 62 x 73 cm in size. She started her career as a textile designer, later a lecturer and her works are in private collections around the world.
The handmade clay vessels by ceramist artist, Annelie Janse van Rensburg had indigenous fynbos plants and sugarbirds painted on them. A pot named, ‘Find a Quiet Place’ really made my day.
How does it occupy space, where is it, and what is the context?
I want to refer to the air-drying clay work of Joe Roets, called Trailing Spaces. This sculptural work is placed between glass and frame. This work will fit in different spaces as it feels like a hanging sculpture inside the glass. It reminds me of a quiet space in nature or a sanctuary and fits with the theme of the exhibition.
The placement on the wall of this work was almost the form of a collage – here 6 works were hung together. On my visit 2 of the works have been removed. I did not enquire why. I find that the works are related in terms of size and theme. It was installed on a green wall and is almost a focus when you walk into the small gallery. Two drawings of bird nests were hanging with it, as well as two smaller clay works. The names of the works were placed to the left of each work. The theme Look/See drew the viewer into work and one soon realise that you are making connections with nature in these groupings of work. It brings out memories of plants and birds I know. I could see the works in my own home as reminders of nature. The theme of the painted clay works and mixed media works were mostly indigenous fynbos which are very much admired and only grow here in the Western Cape of South Africa. I felt that the work touched me on an emotional and intellectual level for the plain beauty of nature, to notice it again, and the way the artists brought that forward in the different works. I feel the work celebrates beauty in our natural world. There was also something about mindfulness for me in the exhibition. Making most of these works, was a process with many layers and decisions to be made. I am again touched by the hand of the artists in all these works and how we as artists find inspiration from nature.