(“Blame Television”: acrylic on canvas by Bheki Khambule)A solo exhibition by Bheki Khambule titled Material Conversationsopens in the Schreiner Gallery at the Tatham Art Gallery in Pietermaritzburg on June 21.
Bheki Khambule was the winner of the 2008 Nivea Start Art Award. More recently, he participated in the Tatham Art Gallery exhibition, About Face, a portrait project in which 12 artists from different backgrounds painted each other.
For his first solo exhibition in this gallery, the artist presents a selection of paintings in which the dichotomy between foreground and background becomes a theme. Specific portraits are juxtaposed against contrasting backgrounds. The viewers have to work out what the artist is trying to convey, or come to their own conclusions.
The artist says: “Currently my artworks reflect concerns about the epidemic of consumerism, which I experience in urban as well as rural spaces. Having been part of colonialism in the times of apartheid, I thought we would be free in the new South Africa. Now I am becoming more and more conscious of the effect that American influences are having on our people, especially the youth. This consumerism has become another form of imperialism, led by the United States of America.”
Bheki Khambule will conduct a walkabout of the exhibition in the Schreiner Gallery on June 27 from 14h30 to 15h30. Bookings through Thulani or Pinky at 033 392 2801.
Material Conversationsruns from June 21 (opening at 18h00) until August 12.
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