(Work by Vicki Ross)
Narratives of My Mind, an MTech exhibition by Vicki Ross
exploring perfomativity in art as reconstructions of the self in addressing
conditions of depression is running at the KZNSA Gallery.
The motivation for
this MTech study results from the notion that art-making is a regenerative
enriching process that can counteract the sense of dislocation one suffers as a
consequence of depression. The exhibition has two objectives: to open a
discourse around the transformative function of art for a person suffering
depression, and to challenge notions of normality by presenting alternative
realities of the performative mind.
“From the earliest
memories of my life, I knew I did not fit in, I was not part of the crowd,”
explains Ross. “Depression has been my companion ever since I can remember.
This performative self-study is an interrogation of the ways in which my art
becomes a self-actualising recovery process. This exhibition deals with
narratives of the mind, that is, conversations between who people think I am,
my inner-critic and who I really am. My art is intimately connected to my life
as related to my states of being, my mind-spaces in depression. I have
therefore, positioned myself as the pivot for my art-making, drawing on
authentic personal experiential knowledge. It is thus an autobiographical
phenomenological self-reflexive exploration addressing concepts of difference
and belonging in relation to social constructs of acceptability. “
The overall
intention of the exhibition is to explore the potential in creative practice as
transformative – “the re-construction of who we are, rather than how we are
perceived.”
Narratives of My Mind has its last day tomorrow (February 22). The
KZNSA Gallery is situated at 166 Bulwer Road, Glenwood, in Durban. More
information on 031 277 1703, fax 031 201 8051 or cell 082 220 0368 or visit www.kznsagallery.co.za
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