Massacre of the Paint Tubes
July 18, 2024 - August 10, 2024
RK Contemporary De Waterkant, cnr Dixon & Jarvis Streets, De Waterkant, Cape Town
EXHIBITION STATEMENT
"When the news of the Israeli bombing of Gaza and the tragic loss of children’s lives reached me after October 7th, 2023, I felt an urgent need to respond. This impulse stemmed from witnessing the impact of supremacist ideologies imposed upon the world. I chose to express this through painting, my most profound form of expression, while consciously avoiding a direct political statement.
Philip Guston, a Jewish Canadian-American painter, profoundly influenced me. His work, deeply affected by the racist ideologies of the Ku Klux Klan in America, managed to depoliticize these heavy themes with humor and emotional depth. In Guston's approach, I found a kindred spirit and a method to address difficult subjects without overt political commentary.
In the months following October 7, 2023, I studied Guston's work extensively, sourcing inspiration from the internet. This exploration led me to a deeper investigation of my own practice, examining the passion and technique inherent in painting. While my subject matter drives my inspiration, the essence of my work focuses on the act of painting itself, rather than the subject it portrays. My intention is to present the subject ambiguously, allowing the audience to create their own interpretations and dialogues.
The challenge and triumph of my work lie in the act of painting. It is here that I wrestle with the relationship between perception and emotion, translating this dynamic through the medium. This process is a conversation, a means to move forward from the emotional toll of war. By making marks and creating artwork, I aim to present the subject in a way that allows for personal detachment, fostering an environment for dialogue.
Initially, my studies included visual elements reminiscent of Guston's work to understand his process better. Over time, these influences became subtler, evolving into a vehicle for my personal style of expression.
This exhibition, 'Massacre of the Paint Tubes,' is not just about the horror and tragedy of recent events but is also a testament to the resilience and transformative power of art. Through this journey, I hope to engage viewers in a conversation that transcends the immediate and delves into the universal human experience."
