(“Jumper 1” by Zemba Luzamba, Mixed media on fabric on board)
Following months of refurbishment, the Durban Art Gallery
reopens to the public on December 11, with a new exhibition throughout all
gallery spaces entitled Beyond Binaries.
Beyond Binaries is
a curated exhibition featuring work by 26 artists. The exhibition aims to open
up discussion on the current climate of polarization and intolerance, and the
increasing trend towards fixed, essentialised identities.
Beyond Binaries
features works with video, photography, paintings, drawings, sculpture,
ceramics, wire and mixed media works on show. South African-born artists are
complemented by their peers born in African countries as well as artists born
in India, China and Germany. The exhibition has been curated by Qala!, a
fledgling curatorial collective comprising three Durban-born cultural workers: Mario
Pissarra, Robin Moodley and Russel Hlongwane.
Several exhibits address critical questions concerning race,
gender, national identity and heritage. The relationship of people to the
natural environment provides another sub-theme that is prominently featured.
Several exhibits bring binaries into vivid focus, whilst others attempt to
transcend these to create or suggest hybrid, fluid or emerging notions of
identity.
KwaZulu-Natal is well represented by a healthy mix of
acclaimed and emerging talents: Cedric Nunn (photography), Sfiso ka Mkame,
Mthobisi Maphumulo, Mhlonishwa Chiliza, Eugene Hlophe (drawings), Paul Sibisi
and Nicole Pletts (paintings), Thembi Nala and Sbonelo Tau Luthuli (pottery),
Hlengiwe Dube (wirework), and Kristin NG-Yang (photography and mixed media).
Sister cities to Durban, Bulawayo and Libreville, are
represented by Nonhlanhla Mathe (painting) and Nathalie Anguezomo Mba Bikoro
(video). The exhibition also features Namibian photographer Julia Hango as well
as work by African nationals living in South Africa, namely Lizette Chirrime
(Mozambique), Robert Machiri (Zimbabwe), and Zemba Luzamba (DRC).
Also exhibiting are Ayesha Price, Donovan Ward, Garth
Erasmus, Jeannette Unite, Jill Joubert, Manfred Zylla, Meghna Singh, Nomusa
Makhubu and Thania Petersen.
The artists were selected following a process where 54
artists identified by a curatorial panel were invited to propose works on the
theme of the exhibition.
Beyond Binaries
was originally commissioned by the City of eThekwini for the recent Essence
Festival Durban, where it was exhibited at the International Convention Centre
under the banner of ARTiculate Africa.
The exhibition runs until February 19, 2017, at the Durban
Art Gallery on the second floor of the magnificent Durban City Hall building;
enter opposite the Playhouse in the heart of the city of Durban. DAG is open
seven days a week: Monday to Saturday from 08h30 until 15h45 and Sundays from
11h00 until 15h45. Entry is free and all are welcome!
For more information, contact the Gallery on 031 311 2264 /
9 or Jabu.Mngwengwe@durban.gov.za
(weekdays).
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