What We Do
Eastern Cape
PARADOX OF PLENTY: OPEN STUDIO
Paradox of Plenty: Jeannette Unite, converted the Michaelis Upper Gallery into an open studio from the 2nd to the 21st of March. This studio has be open to the public, allowing a rare glimpse into Unite’s working methods and a chance for personal engagement with the artist. During her time in the space Unite will produce a series of composite, collaged drawings, which will then be on exhibition in the Upper Gallery from the 29th of March to April 7th 2011.
In over twelve years of on-going research, Unite has visited archives, libraries and museums in mining areas, exploring the issues related to mineral extraction, wars and conflict, migrant labour, the resource curse and the impact of neo-colonialism on the contemporary African industrial landscape. With 2011 seeing the 125th anniversary of the discovery of gold in Johannesburg, Unite’s new body of work will reflect on how this discovery has shaped the social-political history of South Africa.
Jeannette Unite was one of four South African artists at the Beijing Biennale in September 2010 and in Uzbekistan in 2009 where she won an award for the most unique use of material. She has presented papers about her artwork at conferences in Dublin, the UNESCO Art Critics International AICA, in Ghana at the 50 year Jubilee Cultural Development Conference, a colour colloquium at Rhodes University and will be presenting at AEGIS in Madrid, Spain in April.
To be followed by the exhibition opening on Tuesday 29 March at 18:00. Project and exhibition ends 7 April 2011
PARADOX OF PLENTY: OPEN STUDIO
