The Bag Factory in association with Makgati Molebatsi Art Consulting, announced the public opening of Patrick Rulore’s solo exhibition, entitled: 635 Suurman, Section 6, Hammanskraal
Patrick Rulore‘s body of work, 635 Suurman, Section 6, Hammanskraal, explores the “intimate human moments that co-exists alongside socio-economic challenges, aspirational goals, and technological advancement”. His public solo exhibition will showcase a series of 16 oil paintings that depict the various ways members of his “community in Hammanskraal have circumvented the nationwide energy crisis, dubbed as ‘load shedding'”.
Electricity and internet connectivity offers people the opportunity to occupy themselves with electronic devices such as their cellphones and tablets. Load-shedding has pushed families to interact with those in close proximity to them. Rulore’s series of paintings, calls attention to the frail moments families experience during the anticipation of electricity to be restored. The artist “invites us into these quaint and intimate episodes where families try to navigate their time in the darkness”.
Ba ga Mashaba II (2022)
Oil on canvas
87cm x 93cm
“Beyond the context of the challenges faced because of load shedding the artist’s current oeuvre speaks to the broader socio-economic realities of township life. Patrick’s work invites the viewer to pause and engage with the characters and imagery in the paintings as opposed to rapidly trying grasp what is presented. What may seem like a nostalgic moment, inspires the artist to ask an introspective question: ‘Is there a point of contention in these artworks?'”
“Perhaps the ambiguity lies in the continuous darkness that surrounds the persons Rulore has painted. In what seems like picturesque scenarios, the circumstances allude to a sense of emptiness. Amidst the glistening eyes and the warm circles of conversation around a fire as depicted in his paintings, one is reminded of the stark reality of lived anguish”.
Dinonwane tsa Ntate I (2022)
Oil on canvas
118cm x 99cm
Gallery and Pretoria Arts Association (2021). His works were selected as a part of the Top 100 of the prestigious Sasol New Signatures competition for 2017. In 2018, his artwork was awarded the Top Painting accolade. In 2019 and 2022, his submissions for the Thami Mnyele Art Award were selected for the top 15 best artworks.
Rulore is the winner of 2019 Sasol New Signatures Award for his artwork “Stage 4 Moments”, which led to an accompanying exhibition titled “Stage 4 Moments, Life in Darkness” at the Pretoria Art Museum in 2021. That same year, his work was selected again as a part of the top 20 of the Thami Mnyele Art Award.
His artworks are included in various art collections such as Sasol, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria Art Museum and numerous private collections nationally and internationally.
Exhibition Opening: Saturday, 4th March, 11 am – 2 pm at Bag Factory Artists’ Studios, 10 Mahlathini Street, Newtown, Johannesburg
Exhibition Walkabout: Saturday, 18th March, 11 am – 1 pm at Bag Factory Artists’ Studios, 10 Mahlathini Street, Newtown, Johannesburg
