Tidal is a new exhibition opening in the Gallery, Lifestyle Centre in Ballito this Thursday June 2, which honours KZN’s coastline.
“This exhibition celebrates our fragile, magnificent coastline. Twice daily, we witness the miraculous shifting of the tides as they come in and out. Sealife is exposed, then it is submerged all to the rhythm of the moon. We are all one, we are all living beings that live to this rhythm. This exhibition honours the power of the sea and all it gifts us. It is not too late to protect our precious oceans…, ” explains exhibition curator, Jane Digby.
A collaboration of local artists connect and communicate through the visual arts to create this beautiful, poignant exhibition celebrating the treasures of the sea and the magnificent of the coastline.
Leigh Bisset’s two large and poignant installations positioned outside The Studios, explore the use of reclaimed fishing materials. The destructive wake of overfishing to satisfy the greed and consumerism is one of the biggest threats to the health of the seas and their inhabitants. Fish are taken faster than they can naturally replenish, and by-catch of marine life such as turtles, dolphins, etc is senselessly discarded.
(Right: The Manta Ray, a bronze by Robert Rorich)
Robert Rorich has two magnificent bronzes on exhibition: The Manta Ray is displayed as an art piece in the open air this sculpture brings forth the rays’ oceanic majesty into our own mind and home. His second piece is She Down There which imagines the allure of the plump sirenian is in its gentle nature and peaceful pasturing. Because of their docile disposition, they are easily hunted by humans and are often entangled in fishing nets, contributing to their decline and vulnerable status. Half of all proceeds of the sale of the limited edition bronzes will go to dugong conservation.
More than a dozen 2D artiste feature in the exhibition: Jane Digby; Nic Human, Leigh Bisset; Chantelle Hopewell; Lori Schappe Youens; Darylee Ziady; Ali Cockburn; Gift Dlamini; Kim Pereira; Natalie Deeb; Hilary Grant Currie and Ste van der Schyff.
(Work by Lori Schappe Youens)
Among the 3D artists are: Robert Rorich
(magnificent collectors’ bronze sculptures); Seth Falconer (bronze sculpture
whose minators are a delight to all); Claire Falconer (functional bronzes,
vases and candlestick holders); Samantha Pitout (very popular ceramic
masterpieces, each utterly unique and precious); Sarah Richards (magnificent
bronze sculptures); Sma Shabalala (smaller figurines of sea world); Sharon
Paterson (the Fat Ladies are back, by popular demand! Bring delight to any
home); Mervyn Dragsund (the contemporary PET, no fleas, no snoring, no mission
– just pure delight); Phumlani Nwayo (cows on the beach!); Zinhle my Basket
Shop (emerging business woman and stylist Zinhle will be exhibiting her
baskets) Favordot Intl (an NGO of teenagers making ottomans from recycled tyres
to pay for education) and Scent Africa (handmade candles, diffusers by young
entrepreneur Pearl
Khambule making practical art in candles).
Ballito Lifestyle Centre, The Studios celebrates First Thursday on June 2– an all-day event, from 09h00 till 20h30. With artists walkabouts, painting demos, live entertainment and many delicious and inspiring treats on offer. Follow on social media for a programme of the days’ events @thegallerylifestyle
There will also be a “People Choice” vote where all can share which is their favourite artpiece, as well as a Lucky Draw on June 2 with the prize being a Samantha Pitiout ceramic sea sculpture.
Tidal runs from June 2 to July 31. The Gallery is situated within The Studios, opposite Weylandts at Lifestyle Centre, Ballito.
Opening
hours are 0900 till 17h00. Follow The Gallery on Instagram and facebook @thegallerylifestyle
Gallery WhatsApp contact no. 072245 8691 or 0824862126
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