The NWU Botanical Gardens Gallery is set to present the ANATOMICA BOTANICA ARCHITECTA exhibition, featuring the works of five North-West artists based in Potchefstroom. Amogelang Ngake, Elna Venter, Mpho Gorewang, Pieter Jooste, and Sandro Trapani come together giving their own interpretation of anatomical revisions, architectural revisions, and the incorporation of indigenous or non-indegenous botanicals.
Each artist was given the freedom to address and interpret these themes in their own creative manner. For instance, Sandro Trapani’s mixed-media sculptures and paintings talk more about aesthetic dominance in portraiture, incorporating architectural and botanical elements.
READ MORE: Joburg Film Festival Announces Workshops For Young Filmmakers
Throughout history, botanicals have served various purposes, ranging from food and medicine to fabrics. They have also been integrated into architecture, either to reinforce structures or for decorative purposes, as seen in the Art Nouveau movement. Architecture, in turn, exists to accommodate the human body and create spaces we inhabit.
The human form, architecture, and botanicals have long-standing relationships in art and design, playing significant roles in shaping culture and identity. These elements have evolved and adapted alongside our existence throughout history.
READ MORE: Fast Fashion: The Hidden Environmental Cost
Even in contemporary South Africa, architecture, botany, and anatomy remain relevant, serving as metaphors or symbols that contribute to the narratives we construct within our diverse cultural context. While these narratives may be subject to change, the values evoked by these elements become a huge part of our lives.
Curated by Sandro Trapani, the ANATOMICA BOTANICA ARCHITECTA exhibition promises to be an exploration of the intersection between art, architecture, and botany. The opening started off from the take 27th of October 2023 and will run until the 31st of January 2024.
