[11.05.08] Twelve-year gorefest: William Scarbrough at Bell-Roberts
William Scarbrough's 'Stitches' comprises jarring juxtapositions of images culled from the media over the last 12 years. In these digtally composited and physically sutured works, the viewer is exposed to thoughts and images they would rather avoid, and the work itself becomes a traumatic event. Tavish McIntosh reviews.
[11.05.08] Crocodile Tear-y: Brett Murray at the Goodman Gallery
Brett Murray's 'Crocodile Tears' is a satirical, often self-deprecating critique of the place of 'whiteness' in the African Renaissance. While largely successful, Bettina Malcomess feels that the show could have benefited from tighter curation. She also feels that there are stronger works with more nuance, that are 'layered, subtle explorations of how privilege speaks itself'. They are, she feels, exactly the kind of confession 'we' need to keep making.
[11.05.08] 'Cities in Crisis' at FADA Gallery, University of Johannesburg
'Cities in Crisis', a photographic exhibition curated by Dave Southwood and Michael Godby, is a rich document of urban South Africa, featuring contributions from David Goldblatt, Guy Tillim, Jo Ractliffe and Sam Nhlengethwa amongst others. According to Landi Raubenheimer, it 'offers both unself-conscious and self-reflexive moments of tension in its collective depictions of urban communities' and 'highlights the act of looking and the notion of belonging in a society that remains dramatically socio-economically stratified.'
[11.05.08] Tracey Rose 'Plantation Lullabies' at the Goodman Gallery
While conceding that Tracey Rose's 'acerbic critical voice is an invaluable force in the local art scene, and her intelligent and brave engagement with globally dominant discourses encourages a widening of critical perspectives for local artists and critics', Anthea Buys takes her to task for 'Plantation Lullabies'' careless execution, staking her claim as one of the few unafraid to criticise Rose.
[11.05.08] Falling in love with buildings: an interview with Aidan Walsh
Durban Editor Carol Brown spoke to painter Aidan Walsh on the occasion of his latest exhibition at the KZNSA.
[11.05.08] Delinquent Outsider: Q & A with Cameron Platter
Cameron Platter participated in a Q & A session at the KZNSA Gallery after the showing of his animated films The Stripper and the Zebras; Mr Muafangejo and the Lion; The Crocodile and God.
Some of the questions have been rephrased to the artist.
