The Melrose Gallery, in association with Sandton City, present ‘INTROSPECTION – Art of Contemporary Africa’, a thought-provoking group exhibition featuring established and emerging artists from the continent of Africa.
Definition: Introspection is the examination of one’s own conscious thoughts and feelings. In psychology, the process of introspection relies on the observation of one’s mental state, while in a spiritual context it may refer to the examination of one’s soul.
In an ambitious undertaking, whilst most art fairs and large exhibitions have been postponed or replaced by online presentations due to the impact of Covid-19, The Melrose Gallery in association with Sandton City, have decided to present this exhibition both physically and online.
The exhibition takes place in a large, 850 m², space in Sandton City’s Diamond Walk and will runs until 30 January 2021. The space provides the perfect backdrop for a comprehensive display of Pan African Contemporary art and the high ceilings allow for monumental sculptures and large scale paintings and photographs.
Whilst every care will be taken to adhere to Covid-19 guidelines, the space is so large that it will allow people to browse and experience the works whilst practicing physical distancing.
The pandemic has forced mankind to slow down and to spend time on ‘Introspection’ and the re-evaluation of what is most important to us.
Many artists have been forced into long periods of self-isolation in their studios, which has resulted in powerful artworks impacted by their focus, mood and awakened sense of consciousness and enlightenment. The general public and collectors alike have gone through similar periods of confinement and adjustment and it is expected that this exhibition will bring a welcome respite to what has been a marked reduction in cultural activations.
The title of the exhibition ‘Introspection’ therefore speaks to this extraordinary period, but also to the idea that whilst an artist may be born in Africa, they are part of the global community and whilst their works may often involve a process of internal reflection, their presentation and practice often does not confine to a preconceived idea of ‘African-ness’.
Certain artworks that were not created during this period have therefore also found themselves in the exhibition as their works and practice speak to ‘introspection’ and question the idea that all art created by Africans should have a unifying element that immediately identifies it them such.
Participating artists include: Willie Bester, Gerald Chukwuma, Esther Mahlangu, Wilma Cruise, Pitika Ntuli, Elizabeth Balcomb, Philiswa Lila, Mederic Turay, Papytsho Mafolo, Edozie Anedu, Vusi Khumalo, Simon Zitha, Clint Strydom, Judy Woodborne, Alexis Peskine, Aza Mansongi, Ronald Muchatuta, Adejoke Tugbiyele, Restone Maambo, Gavin Rain, Ndabuko Ntuli, Denis Mubiru, Regi Bardavid, Christiaan Diedericks, Vusi Beauchamp, Hussein Salim, Paul Blomkamp, Andre Stead, Mark Chapman, Grace Da Costa, Paul du Toit, Louis Chanu, Arno Morland, Carl Roberts, Uwe Pfaff, Sfiso Ka-Mkame, Mbongeni Buthelezi and others.
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