(An emotive work
by Karen Pretorius on this exhibition)
Award-winning artist’s tribute to her
daughter.
Karen Pretorius’s Narratives of Memory is on exhibition at artSPACE, Durban. It pays
homage to her daughter, Alex Mazzoni, who died in a car accident caused by a
drunk driver on the night of her matric farewell.
The installation comprises artefacts and
graffiti on ‘floating walls’, photographs and digital works. This intensely
private work explores how place and memory affect the mourning of a loved one.
Pretorius says, “This work comments on the
effect of traumatic memory in daily life situations and experiences.” The
evocative works combine multimedia and paint techniques, creating a sense of
being ‘out of focus’ or ‘just out of reach’. This between-space, spanning the
real and the remembered, guided her working process and inspired the floating
installation.
According to Pretorius: “Contemporary
artists comment on social, political and environmental concerns. We must be
able to critically explore personal tragedy.” Narratives of Memory is a brave, personal confrontation with the
universal theme of traumatic memory.
Karen Pretorius was presented with a Merit
Award in the prestigious Sasol New Signatures 2013 competition. Her third year
work in 2012 garnered her an Excellence Award from UNISA.
Narratives
of Memory runs until November 30 at 14h00 at artSPACE, Durban.
Contact Claus or Karen Bradtke on 031 312
0793.The gallery is situated at 3 Millar Road (off Umgeni Road) in, Durban.
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