TALK BY VICTOR GORDON

South African artist to give talk for Friends of Durban Art Gallery.

South African artist Victor Gordon left South Africa in the 1980’s and is now back for a short visit as his work is featured on the exhibition Home and Away: A Return to the South curated for the Ifa Lethu Foundation by Carol Brown.

Gordon grew up in apartheid South Africa, the product of an inter-faith marriage. He graduated from Wits in 1980 with a BAFA and left for Australia in 1987 where he attained a Masters Degree from the Sydney College of the Arts - University of Sydney. He makes art and heads a tertiary art school in rural Australia. His time in the army as a young conscript undoubtedly affected the works in this show and he states that formally joining the Struggle was, for him, too close to joining a religion and he perceived his role as operating alone in the interstices.

The body of work from which the images in this show are taken was a response to apartheid and the way power was exercised during these years. His work involves a variety of media including paintings, sculpture, assemblage, collage, drawing, photography and installation. His wide ranging concerns and techniques offer uncompromising, refreshingly unique and often quirky and challenging artistic statements.

Home and Away: A Return to the South will be coming to Durban Art Gallery (DAG) later this year and Victor Gordon has kindly agreed to come to Durban for one night to speak to the Friends of DAG about his experiences as an art activist in the 80’s and his current work.

“Victor Gordon’s enthusiasm for what is happening in South Africa is like a breath of fresh air,” says Carol Brown. “His talk will be lively and informative.”

Friends of DAG will host the talk by Victor Gordon at St Clements garden café, 191 Musgrave Road, on June 21 at 18h00 for 18h30. Entrance is free, there is plenty of safe parking and drinks and light meals will be available to purchase. It is important that there is an idea of the numbers expected, so please RSVP to Carol Brown on 083 778 1192 or tel/fax 031 202 3072.