Durban artists swany and Bernice Stott re-imagine the
Jungian feminine and masculine archetypes in a joint exhibition, Anima-Animus, which opens at the
artSPACE Durban on May 25.
Archetypes are definite motifs that can be found everywhere
in the myths and fairy tales of world literature. “They impress, influence and
fascinate us,” considers Stott. “CG Jung also describes the archetypes as
“unconscious, pre-existed form that seems to be part of the inherited structure
of the psyche.”
Inspired by the art of Dorothy Iannone, the artists explore
gender and soul and give form to archaic ideas derived from the collective
“fantasies, dreams, deliria and delusions” (ref Jung).
Bernice Stott’s art-making reflects her intrigue with the
female body in contemporary South Africa. She has worked across disciplines in
the media of painting, photography, sculpture, installation and performance
art. Her associated activities have included curatorship of exhibitions and
community art projects. Nationally she has exhibited in several centres and her
most recent exhibition was Liquid Light
at artSPACE Durban (2014). She has a Masters Degree in Fine Arts and an Honours
Degree in Drama and has taught in both the Fine Arts and the Drama Departments
of Durban University of Technology. From 1988-2013, she was employed as a
visiting lecturer and examiner in the department of Drama and Performance
Studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
swany is a Durban-based artist who, while always retaining
the characteristics of performance art in his pieces, works across disciplines.
With his work, because it often deals with gender issues, he uses embroidery
and stitching to deconstruct certain societal perceptions. He has exhibited at
the KZNSA Gallery, artSPACE Durban, the Collective and the Durban Art Gallery.
He most recently exhibited in the group exhibition, G1K1 (2014), at artSPACE Durban, and the Natal Arts Trust group
exhibition, looking FOR ward: our lives
in 2034 (2014), at the Durban Art Gallery. The artist has an honours degree
in visual arts from UNISA and is currently studying for his masters in visual
arts. He is employed as the KZN arts mentor lecturer for UNISA (part-time) as
well as a designer in the clothing industry (full-time).
Anima-Animus opens
at artSPACE Durban on May 25 and runs until June 13. artSPACE durban is
situated at 3 Millar Road. Fr more information contact 031 312 0793.
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