Laetitia Lups | Animal Farm exhibition catalogue

la e ti ti a l u ps | a n i m a l fa r m

laetitia lups | animal farm 29 September - 30 October 2013

studio 23 | 264 Fox Str. | Arts on Main | MABONENG PRECINCT | Johannesburg CBD

Installation view of Enola Gay | triptych | acrylic on wood | 122 x 213,5cm | 2013

All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others

George Orwell, Animal Farm

In her recent body of work Lups explores notions of human-ness based in an ideological society that is corrupt in a socio-political, geopolitical and political sense. Time and time again has history proven the fact that “absolute power corrupts, absolutely”. Be it with local politics or if we look at events on a global scale, we are constantly being told by the authorities in place what to think and what to do.

Furthermore the terms "myopia" and "myopic" (or the common terms "shortsightedness" or "shortsighted", respectively) have been used metaphorically to refer to cognitive thinking and decision making that is narrow in scope or lacking in foresight or in concern for wider interests or for longer-term consequences. It is often used to describe a decision that may be beneficial in the present, but detrimental in the future, or a viewpoint that fails to consider anything outside a very narrow and limited range.

The novel addresses not only the corruption of the revolution by its leaders, but also the ways wickedness, indifference, ignorance, greed, and myopia corrupt the revolution. It portrays corrupt leadership as the flaw in revolution, rather than the act of revolution itself.

Lups is a Johannesburg based artist. She studied Fine Art at the University of the Free State (UFS). And is currently doing her Honours in Psychology.

This body of paintings will be exhibited at Studio 23 in Arts on Main from 29 September to 30 October. The official opening is on the Sunday 29 September from 3pm. Works will be available for viewing in Studio 23 from Friday 27 September.

Installation view of Laetitia Lups | Animal Farm | Studio23 | 2013

The Battle of Loos I (25 September, 1915) | mixed media on paper | 33 x 48cm | 2013

The Battle of Loos II (25 September, 1915) | mixed media on paper | 33 x 48cm | 2013

Double Century | mixed media on paper | 33 x 48cm | 2013

The Golden Years I | mixed media on paper | 33 x 48cm | 2013

The Golden Years II | mixed media on paper | 33 x 48cm | 2013

The Golden Years III | mixed media on paper | 33 x 48cm | 2013

All Animals Are Equal | oil on wood | 90 x 120cm | 2013

Reconfigured Landscape Series | acrylic on wood with slate | sizes variable | 2013

Reconfigured Landscape Series | acrylic on wood with slate | sizes variable | 2013

Transformed Pigs | oil, enamel on wood and mirror | 72 x 41cm | 2013

Reconfigured Landscape Series | acrylic on wood with slate | sizes variable | 2013

Reconfigured Landscape Series | acrylic on wood with slate | sizes variable | 2013

Reconfigured Landscape Series | acrylic on wood with slate | sizes variable | 2013

Reconfigured Landscape Series | acrylic on wood with slate | sizes variable | 2013

Reconfigured Landscape Series | acrylic on wood with slate | sizes variable | 2013

Installation view of Laetitia Lups | Animal Farm | Studio23 | 2013

Installation view of Laetitia Lups | Animal Farm | Studio23 | 2013

Enola Gay | triptych | acrylic on wood | 122 x 213,5cm | 2013

No Animal Shall Kill Another Animal | oil and acrylic on wood | 119 x 119cm | 2013

laetitia lups | animal farm studio23

Contact: Neil Nieuwoudt (curator) T: +27 72 350 4326 E: neil.nieuwoudt@gmail.com Catalogue Layout and Design: Neil Nieuwoudt

S tu d i o 23 | 264 Fo x S t r. | A rt s o n M ain | M ABONENG PREC INC T | Johannes burg C BD