SOUTH AFRICAN ART NOW

Sue Williamson’s book gives an in-depth review of painting, sculpture, photography, video and performance art as she sees it today. (Review by Marianne Meijer)

South African Art Now is an art book admired by many artists and an art loving public. It describes contemporary South African art as an exciting and emerging scene and gives an in-depth review of painting, sculpture, photography, video and performance art as Williamson sees it today.

Williamson is widely recognised as one of the finest South African art writers and artists, who has been active in the field for almost 40 years. She is founding editor of artthrob, recognised as the definitive art review site in South Africa. Being an activist in human rights organisations has greatly influenced her choice in electing what is relevant in her eyes.

South African Art Now puts together the role of art and artist in today’s society. But herein also lays a catch. It is seeing South African art as it reflects the past and explores the present, political views are omnipresent as Williamson deals with the freedom art created after 1994 to today’s upheavals and struggles for equality, reconciliation and transformation.

There are 12 chapters in the book, each titled to give meaning to the works chosen and why. With such eminent figures as Elton John writing an appreciation and Nobel Literature Prize winning Nadine Gordimer presenting a beautiful foreword, the book must be respected.

South African Art Now lists from artists active during the apartheid years to a younger generation who give fresh interpretations of cultural tradition and what sprouts forth from that. The book particularly also presents a generation of fairly new performance artists, who are making a name for themselves. Many collaborative writers add to the depth of the book, making it a very interesting read. Altogether the work of about 100 artists is featured with a host of colour photographs of their work.

Okwui Enwezor who was the curator of the first contemporary Johannesburg Biennale says he sees our artists as “exciting, attracting the attention of international curators and collectors”.

This book discusses the work of art world stars such as William Kentridge and Marlene Dumas; newly prominent artists such as Berni Searle, Robin Rhode, and Mustafa Maluka; and exciting newcomers making a name for themselves such as Mlu Zondi and Dineo Bopape.

BUT… there are also omissions especially of artists living in KwaZulu-Natal. What about Andries Botha, who exhibits all over the world? What about 70 year-old Andrew Verster? What about a nationally recognised painter such as Deborah Poynton? Their excellent works will still be around for many decades to come.

How many of this new generation of artists will still be around in 20 years? Time will tell.

South African Art Now by Sue Williamson is published by Jacana Media in hardcover. At R700, it is expensive and even most art book collectors will find it a purchase hard to afford in these difficult financial times. It is a must for all art libraries. EAN/ISBN-13: 978-1-77009-721-6 – Marianne Meijer