This large drawing of rope( 1.5 x 1.5m)is of coir rope which is made from coconut husk. I burn the coconut husk and make charcoal. Then a crush it up, add water and paint with it. This is done in layers. This work is the first of many I am planning to do that relate to materials and their cultural implications. In Polynesia, coir rope is given the prestige of being considered the most valuable material on earth. It is one of the only salt resistant textiles on earth. It is used for everything from, building houses to fishing to displays of wealth- hanging from roof trusses. It is prised above all things. In the west this material is barely observed. In doing this work I am spending a huge amount of time and skill at a difficulty level the in the west is considered of high value. The result is a work of art, highly valued to the west that subverts the value of the material in its original context.
The top 100 works have been chosen for the 2012 Absa l'Atelier Award. The selection of works shown are no way an indication of preference for a certain work but is rather a selection of pictures of work included in the top 100 finalists chosen from selection points throughout South Africa. Be sure to keep with the action until their award ceremony later this year.
For more information contact The Absa Gallery, Absa Towers North, 161 Main Road, Johannesburg- T.011 350 5139.
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Group shows- Absa Atelier 2012 |
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Aardklop Arts Festival- Top 10 Absa Atelier show 2012 |
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Coir |
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In an exciting first for the city of Potchefstroom, Absa and its partners SANAVA brought the entire Absa Top 100 Exhibition to Aardklop! The visual arts exhibition consists of 85 pieces by the top 77 artists of the 2012 edition of the art competition, the winners of which were announced in Johannesburg on 18th July this year at the Absa Gallery. The Absa L’Atelier Art Competition aims to develop young artists in South Africa and give them a credible platform to showcase their work that they might not otherwise have had, by giving them exposure on a national level. The artworks from the annual competition are exhibited at the Absa Gallery and all profits from the sales of the pieces go directly to the artists. The artists from the competition (not necessarily only the winners) are also invited to exhibit at other festivals such as the Absa KKNK, Design Indaba, and Aardklop, giving them further exposure across the country. The visual arts exhibition will be open at the G20 building on the Potchefstroom main campus, daily between 9:00am and 5:00pm, from the 2nd – 7th October 2012. Entrance is free. For more information please visit www.cloveraardklop.co.za.
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