(Work by George Kockott alongside that of Mpenja)Running till the end of April at the Imbizo Gallery is an exhibition featuring the works of Frances Schandera and Everett Duarte of Mpenja and sculptor George Kockott.
Frances Schandera (German) and Everett Duarte (South African) are an artist duo, based in both South Africa and Germany. With their combined creative talents, they have brought about Mpenja: bringing exerted images together, accessing and distilling them into an essence of Africa. The result is a recollection of a raw continent, graphically induced into an autonomous expression.
Everett and Frances began working on Mpenja in 2007, on the East Coast of South Africa. The artwork the two artists create is inspired by Africa. Travelling and painting together allows the artist couple to comment from two perspectives on the same subject. Jointly observing the African environment and the African people, with its full glory of beauty, colour and texture, they feed their inspiration. The paintings are a mixture of abstract shapes and realistic details, allowing discovery on the viewer’s behalf. Expressing a harnessed impression of the environment, the two artists deliver an atmosphere of unchanged life. Their visual dialogue is achieved by using paint, exposed images and brush marks as reactions, and counter reactions to each other. This process envelopes many layers of depth and transparency to the work.
Mpenja conceptually originated at a small nature reserve south of Durban called Mpenjati. Keeping the love they both share for Africa at the heart of the work, they decided on applying an African nom de plume to the work. This also distinguishes the work from their individual abstract work, as well as not covering a corner of the painting with signatures.
The early work tended to follow a more abstract route. Some years later, the work now has distinctive compositions, with unfolding stories for the viewer to discover. The decision to work in both countries has significantly increased the strength of both of their careers. Being true to the surroundings, Mpenja work is only done in South Africa. When the couple stay in Europe they paint in their individual abstract styles. The quality of contemporary art and culture in Europe along with Africa’s visual strength provides Everett and Frances with an abundance of fresh stimulation.
Soul of Africa runs until the end of April at the Imbizo Art Gallery, Ballito Lifestyle Centre, next to Beira Alta. More information on 032 946 1937 or visit info@imbizogallery.co.za
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