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BLAND & BORING PRESENTS:
Artybollocks! is an academic endeavour that explores the use of artist statements. Bland & Boring presented each artist with a statement from the online artist statement generator, artybollocks.com. The artists were tasked to create an artwork based on this statement – an idea motivated by overly-theoretical terms (artspeak) that overcomplicate the meaning and interpretation of artworks. Artybollocks! throws a jab at this overcompensation by forcing artists to comply with the parameters of ridiculous, yet somehow appropriate statements that are essentially created by an algorithm! Bland & Boring is a curatorial collaboration between Odette Graskie and Chrisél van der Merwe. Artybollocks! was hosted at Open Window’s NOW Gallery in May-June 2019. 3
Amy-Jane van den Bergh
Artist Statement My work explores the relationship between Pre-raphaelite tenets and UFO sightings. With influences as diverse as Rousseau and Francis Bacon, new combinations are synthesised from both mundane and trascendant layers. Ever since I was a child I have been fascinated by the ephemeral nature of the moment. What starts out as triumph soon becomes corrupted into a manifesto of defeat, leaving only a sense of nihilism and the dawn of a new reality. As spacial replicas become distorted through emergent and repetitive practice, the viewer is left with a testament to the possibilities of our era.
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“There is non excellent beauty that hath not some strangeness in the proportion.” - Francis Bacon Screen-print 2019 69cm x 99cm R7500
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Alka Dass
Artist Statement My work explores the relationship between portraiture and cynical surrealism. With influences as diverse as Yayoi Kusama and Egon Schiele, new combinations are manufactured from both opaque and transparent meanings. Ever since I was a pre-adolescent I have been fascinated by the traditional understanding of relationships. What starts out as vision soon becomes debased into a cacophony of lust, leaving only a sense of nihilism and the chance of a new order. As shimmering replicas become frozen through emergent and academic practice, the viewer is left with a testament to the inaccuracies of our existence.
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Searching, Waiting, Listening, Quietly Mixed Media 2019 9cm x 23cm x 15cm R3840
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Anastasia Pather
Artist Statement My work explores the relationship between voyeurism and transcendence. With influences as diverse as Georgia O’Keeffe and Bob Dylan, new insights are synthesised from both explicit and implicit structures. Ever since I was a pre-adolescent I have been fascinated by the endless oscillation of the moment. What starts out as hope soon becomes finessed into a carnival of futility, leaving only a sense of failing and the unlikelihood of a new order. As shifting derivatives become frozen through emergent and personal practice, the viewer is left with an epitaph for the darkness of our existence.
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Selling for her Parts Rejected paintings, cleaning sponges, mixed media, faux gold, holograms 2019 110cm x 160cm R25000
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Beefeater Mixed Media 2019 29cm x 20cm R3000
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Carla Crafford
Artist Statement My work explores the relationship between UFO sightings and the tyranny of ageing. With influences as diverse as Kierkegaard and Cindy Sherman, new insights are created from both orderly and random narratives. Ever since I was a postgraduate I have been fascinated by the traditional understanding of the moment. What starts out as triumph soon becomes finessed into a dialectic of futility, leaving only a sense of nihilism and the inevitability of a new synthesis. As shimmering phenomena become distorted through emergent and critical practice, the viewer is left with an epitaph for the edges of our era.
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Nuwe Maillot 1986 Digital print on Cotton Rag, from original black and white photograph taken in Paris in 1986 Edition of 3 2019 24cm x 15cm R1800
The Tyranny of Ageing Digital print on Cotton Rag Edition of 3 2019 22cm x 15,6cm R1800
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The Edge of Vanity - the tyranny of ageing Hand made book, comprising 42 pages, on cotton rag 2019 R8700
Dowwe spieĂŤl Black and white photography on fibre based paper 1996 24cm x 22cm R6400
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Victor sĂŞ dit gaan ‘n riller wees Digital print and collage 2010 37cm x 22cm R1800
Swimming, not sinking, Boet Black and white photography on fibre based paper 1990 30cm x 25cm R7200
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ChrisĂŠl van der Merwe
Artist Statement My work explores the relationship between postmodern discourse and the mundane as elitist. With influences as diverse as Yayoi Kusama and Surrealism, new combinations are distilled from both constructed and discovered meanings. Ever since I was a teenager I have been fascinated by the ephemeral nature of the universe. What starts out as yearning soon becomes finessed into a cacophony of futurism, leaving only a sense of unreality and the chance of a new order. As intermittent replicas become distorted through emergent and critical practice, the viewer is left with an epitaph for the limits of our era.
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Abrasion i Digital Print on Ilford Galerie Art Paper Edition of 4 2019 50cm x 74cm R5800 framed R4200 unframed
Abrasion ii Digital Print on Ilford Galerie Art Paper Edition of 4 2019 50cm x 74cm R5800 framed R4200 unframed
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Cobus Haupt
Artist Statement My work explores the relationship between the prehistoric Jurassic age and urban spaces. With influences as diverse as Munch and David Hockney, new combinations are manufactured from both orderly and random discourse. Ever since I was a pre-adolescent I have been fascinated by the endless oscillation of the dinosaur formation and human teeth. What starts out as yearning soon becomes finessed into a hegemony of power, leaving only a sense of decadence and the unlikelihood of a new synthesis. As shimmering phenomena become trans-formed through boundaried and repetitive practice, the viewer is left with a tribute to the inaccuracies of our world.
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Vono Dragon Bronze Casting Edition 2 of 7 2019 35cm x 30cm x 15cm R30000
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Cow Mash
Artist Statement My work explores the relationship between gender politics and life as performance. With influences as diverse as Bas Jan Ader and Yayoi Kusama, new variations are created from both traditional and modern narratives. Ever since I was a pre-adolescent I have been fascinated by the ephemeral nature of the human condition. What starts out as contemplation soon becomes manipulated into a hegemony of distress, leaving only a sense of unreality and the possibility of a new beginning. As momentary forms become transformed through boundaried and diverse practice, the viewer is left with an insight into the darkness of our condition.
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Mellow Ink and Acrylic on Vinyl 2019 49cm x 41cm R2800
The Gaze Ink and Acrylic on Vinyl 2019 49cm x 41cm R2780
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Diane Victor
Artist Statement My work explores the relationship between postmodern discourse and romance tourism. With influences as diverse as Nietzsche and Edvard Munch, new combinations are distilled from both traditional and modern dialogues. Ever since I was a pre-adolescent I have been fascinated by the traditional understanding of the moment. What starts out as contemplation soon becomes debased into a dialectic of defeat, leaving only a sense of unreality and the prospect of a new beginning. As spatial derivatives become reconfigured through studious and critical practice, the viewer is left with a tribute to the limits of our world.
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Eddy and Freddy, the Moustache Dialogues Charcoal Drawing 2019 107cm x 76cm R45000
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Fatima Tayob Moosa
Artist Statement My work explores the relationship between the colour blue and daytime TV. With influences as diverse as Kierkegaard and Anselm Kiefer, new synergies are crafted from both opaque and transparent layers. Ever since I was a teenager I have been fascinated by the endless oscillation of the human condition. What starts out as triumph soon becomes manipulated into a hegemony of defeat, leaving only a sense of dread and the unlikelihood of a new understanding. As subtle phenomena become frozen through emergent and personal practice, the viewer is left with an insight into the possibilities of our era.
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Trembling Charcoal, enamel and oil on Fabriano 2019 100cm x 70cm R7400
And Fear Enamel, oil, acrylic and drafting paper on Fabriano 2019 100cm x 70cm 45 R7400
Fleur de Bondt
Artist Statement My work explores the relationship between emerging sexualities and emotional memories with influences as diverse as Derrida and Joni Mitchell, new insights are distilled from both simple and complex narratives. Ever since I was a teenager I have been fascinated by the unrelenting divergence of the universe. What starts out as a triumph soon becomes corroded into a cacophony of futility, leaving a sense of unreality and the possibility of a new order. As wavering replicas become distorted through diligent and personal practice, the viewer is left with a hymn to the darkness of our future.
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The Corrosion of Reality Mixed media on paper 2019 92cm x 59cm R8000
The Ecstasy of Unreality Mixed media on paper 2019 63cm x 43cm R6000
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George Holloway
Artist Statement My work explores the relationship between fascism and Post-postmodern foot fetishes. With influences as diverse as Kafka and Roy Lichtenstein, new tensions are synthesised from both constructed and discovered structures. Ever since I was a postgraduate I have been fascinated by the endless oscillation of the zeitgeist. What starts out as yearning soon becomes manipulated into a manifesto of power, leaving only a sense of failing and the possibility of a new order. As momentary phenomena become frozen through diligent and academic practice, the viewer is left with a hymn to the possibilities of our era.
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That Found objects 2019 90cm x 70cm x 15cm R430
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This Found objects 2019 110cm x 70cm x 26cm R560 55
Gordon Froud
Artist Statement My work explores the relationship between gender politics and vegetarian ethics. With influences as diverse as Caravaggio and Def Leppard, new tensions are synthesised from both opaque and transparent discourse. Ever since I was a postgraduate I have been fascinated by the traditional understanding of the human condition. What starts out as triumph soon becomes manipulated into a dialectic of greed, leaving only a sense of failing and the unlikelihood of a new beginning. As spatial forms become reconfigured through emergent and repetitive practice, the viewer is left with a tribute to the limits of our world.
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Don’t Eat The Hare with The Amber Eyes Found objects reworked and assembled 2019 30cm x 25cm x 30cm R3500
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Guy du Toit
Artist Statement My work explores the relationship between ecological disasters and artist jokes. With influences as diverse as Caravaggio and Chris Burden, new combinations are crafted from both traditional and modern meanings. Ever since I was a child I have been fascinated by the endless oscillation of meaning. What starts out as hope soon becomes corrupted into a dialectic of distress, leaving only a sense of chaos and the dawn of a new synthesis. As subtle replicas become frozen through frantic and diverse practice, the viewer is left with an epitaph for the darkness of our existence.
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Hare o Plane (1) Bronze Casting 2019 30cm x 23cm x 20cm R27600
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Hare o Plane (2) Bronze Casting 2019 34cm x 30cm x 20cm R46000
Hare o Plane (3) Bronze Casting 2019 30cm x 20cm x 15cm R18400
Hare o Plane (4) Bronze Casting 2019 33cm x 20cm x 20cm R27600
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Hare o Plane (5) Bronze Casting 2019 30cm x 19cm x 30cm R36800
Hare o Plane (6) Bronze Casting 2019 30cm x 20cm x 18cm R18000
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Guy du Toit & Carla Crafford
Artist Statement My work explores the relationship between shadow-creatures and counterterrorism. With influences as diverse as Anish Kapoor and Miles Davis, new synergies are distilled from both orderly and random dialogues. Ever since I was a child I have been fascinated by the ephemeral nature of relationships. What starts out as triumph soon becomes finessed into a hegemony of greed, leaving only a sense of decadence and the inevitability of a new reality. As shimmering phenomena become frozen through emergent and critical practice, the viewer is left with a tribute to the darkness of our world.
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Visual Dialogue Comprises one worked bronze plate, and four block mounted photographs 80cm x 25cm x 5 Not for sale
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Hannah Kempe
Artist Statement My work explores the relationship between the tyranny of ageing and recycling culture. With influences as diverse as Basquiat and Picasso’s Blue Period, new variations are distilled from both mundane and transcendant dialogues. Ever since I was a pre-adolescent I have been fascinated by the endless oscillation of the moment. What starts out as yearning soon becomes manipulated into a dialectic of lust, leaving only a sense of chaos and the dawn of a new synthesis. As temporal replicas become transformed through boundaried and diverse practice, the viewer is left with a hymn to the inaccuracies of our culture.
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Green Sea Blues Gouache and mixed media on paper 2019 45cm x 65cm R4400
Johan Stegmann
Artist Statement My work explores the relationship between multiculturalism and housewife existential crises. With influences as diverse as Blake and the 1975, new tensions are synthesised from both simple and complex narratives. Ever since I was a child I have been fascinated by the essential unreality of relationships. What starts out as hope soon becomes debased into a carnival of distress, leaving only a sense of unreality and the chance of a new beginning. As spatial phenomena become frozen through boundaried and academic practice, the viewer is left with a hymn to the possibilities of our world.
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Game of Vrouens Hardground Etching with Aquatint Edition of 10 2019 26cm x 39cm R3200 framed R2600 unframed
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Kiyara Ananmalay
Artist Statement My work explores the relationship between Critical theory and vegetarian ethics. With influences as diverse as Kafka and John Cage, new synergies are distilled from both mundane and transcendant meanings. Ever since I was a pre-adolescent I have been fascinated by the unrelenting divergence of the moment. What starts out as contemplation soon becomes finessed into a tragedy of distress, leaving only a sense of failing and the chance of a new synthesis. As spatial replicas become reconfigured through diligent and academic practice, the viewer is left with a hymn to the outposts of our condition.
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20142019 9.5 Fold out book - digital photographs printed on archival paper, cotton, fabriano paper, archival photo corners 2019 15cm x 500cm R2250
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Kyra Pape
Artist Statement My work explores the relationship between consumerism and emotional memories. With influences as diverse as Ai Wei Wei and Olafur Eliasson, new synergies are generated from both mundane and transcendant dialogues. Ever since I was a teenager I have been fascinated by the theoretical limits of meaning. What starts out as contemplation soon becomes debased into a dialectic of futility, leaving only a sense of nihilism and the inevitability of a new synthesis. As shifting replicas become clarified through diligent and academic practice, the viewer is left with a hymn to the limits of our existence.
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Average (11.9 | 6) Glass and Melted Sugar 2019 30cm x 30cm x 30cm R4170
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Lebohang Motaung
Artist Statement My work explores the relationship between the universality of myth and romance tourism. With influences as diverse as Munch and Roy Lichtenstein, new combinations are manufactured from both constructed and discovered layers. Ever since I was a child I have been fascinated by the ephemeral nature of the universe. What starts out as vision soon becomes corroded into a cacophony of temptation, leaving only a sense of failing and the prospect of a new synthesis. As momentary phenomena become clarified through emergent and critical practice, the viewer is left with an epitaph for the edges of our world.
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Braided from the Roots Hair fibre on canvas Installation 2019 Dimensions Variable R11000
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Marian Hester
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Artist Statement My work explores the relationship between the solar system and fanatical worship. With influences as diverse as Takashi Murakami and David Bowie, new tensions are manufactured from both orderly and random meanings. Ever since I was a student I have been fascinated by the endless oscillation of the universe. What starts out as contemplation soon becomes manipulated into a carnival of defeat, leaving only a sense of what could have been and the possibility of a new order. As wavering phenomena become transformed through boundaried and diverse practice, the viewer is left with a hymn to the darkness of our existence.
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Ten Layers of Gold Silkscreen on Fabriano Edition of 7 2019 71cm x 50cm R16000 framed R14500 unframed
Run for the Shadows in These Golden Years Silkscreen on Fabriano Edition of 9 2019 50cm x 71cm R16000 framed R14500 unframed
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Mary-lee Makunye
Artist Statement My work explores the relationship between the tyranny of ageing and unwanted gifts. With influences as diverse as Kierkegaard and Joni Mitchell, new synergies are created from both simple and complex structures. Ever since I was a child I have been fascinated by the ephemeral nature of meaning. What starts out as triumph soon becomes corrupted into a carnival of futility, leaving only a sense of unreality and the dawn of a new reality. As momentary forms become transformed through studious and diverse practice, the viewer is left with an epitaph for the outposts of our world.
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My Sister’s Keeper Cut-out and oil paint on textiles 2019 42cm x 59cm R10000
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Mmabatho Grace Mokalapa
Artist Statement My work explores the relationship between good and evil and copycat violence. With influences as diverse as Man Ray and Olafur Elaisson, new variations are crafted from both traditional and modern dialogues. Ever since I was a postgraduate I have been fascinated by the theoretical limits of the zeitgeist. What starts out as contemplation soon becomes finessed into a manifesto of temptation, leaving only a sense of unreality and the unlikelihood of a new beginning. As shimmering forms become reconfigured through emergent and repetitive practice, the viewer is left with a hymn to the limits of our existence.
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Ascent Gouache, ink and graphite on watercolour paper 2019 26.6cm x 31.5cm R3600
In Balance Gouache, ink and graphite on watercolour paper 2019 26.6cm x 31.5cm R3600
The Sublime Uncanny Gouache, ink and graphite on watercolour paper 2019 26.6cm x 31.5cm R3600
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Nina Torr
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Artist Statement My work explores the relationship between consumerist fetishism and UFO sightings. With influences as diverse as Mickey Mouse and Paul Cezanne, new insights are synthesised from both opaque and transparent structures. Ever since I was a teenager I have been fascinated by the theoretical limits of relationships. What starts out as triumph soon becomes manipulated into a cacophony of greed, leaving only a sense of decadence and the prospect of a new reality. As temporal derivatives become clarified through frantic and critical practice, the viewer is left with a clue to the darkness of our world.
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Amateur Ink on Fabriano Artistico 2019 34cm x 23cm R5200
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Odette Graskie
Artist Statement My work explores the relationship between the colour purple and copycat violence. With influences as diverse as Derrida and Louise Bourgouis, new variations are distilled from both constructed and discovered discourse. Ever since I was a student I have been fascinated by the unrelenting divergence of the mind. What starts out as contemplation soon becomes finessed into a tragedy of futility, leaving only a sense of decadence and the prospect of a new synthesis. As momentary derivatives become frozen through diligent and critical practice, the viewer is left with a tribute to the limits of our existence.
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She Disappeared into Complete Chrisel Black Fabric Dye on Paper 2019 75cm x 300cm R16800
To Unravel A Torment You Must Begin Somewhere Textile Installation, hand-dyed calico 2019 Dimensions Variable R13500
Olivia Botha
Artist Statement My work explores the relationship between acquired synesthesia and ephemeral being. With influences as diverse as Machiavelli and Yoko Ono, new variations are manufactured from both opaque and transparent dialogues. Ever since I was a teenager I have been fascinated by the ephemeral nature of the moment. What starts out as triumph soon becomes manipulated into a manifesto of temptation, leaving only a sense of nihilism and the chance of a new synthesis. As shifting derivatives become frozen through studious and diverse practice, the viewer is left with an epitaph for the limits of our world.
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“When you go to war, both sides lose totally.� - Yoko Ono Collage 2019 43cm x 32cm R750
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Double-Sided Collage 2019 47cm x 33cm R750
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Rebecca Haysom
Artist Statement My work explores the relationship between Norse mythology and radical unreality. With influences as diverse as Rene Magritte and The Beatles, new variations are synthesised from both orderly and random textures. Ever since I was a student I have been fascinated by the endless oscillation of the mind. What starts out as hope soon becomes corroded into a hegemony of defeat, leaving only a sense of unreality and the chance of a new reality. As shimmering derivatives become frozen through emergent and academic practice, the viewer is left with an insight into the darkness of our culture.
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PEOPLE ALSO ASK: What were the names of Freya’s Cats? Papiermaché, acrylic paint, string and spray paint 2019 14cm x 10cm x 38cm R8000 PEOPLE ALSO ASK: What pulled Freya’s chariot? Papiermaché, acrylic paint, string and spray paint 2019 14cm x 10cm x 38cm R8000
Richard ‘Specs’ Ndimande
Artist Statement My work explores the relationship between the universality of myth and skateboard ethics. With influences as diverse as Da Vinci and Frida Kahlo, new tensions are manufactured from both opaque and transparent discourse. Ever since I was a pre-adolescent I have been fascinated by the ephemeral nature of the human condition. What starts out as yearning soon becomes corroded into a carnival of lust, leaving only a sense of unreality and the dawn of a new order. As momentary forms become distorted through studious and academic practice, the viewer is left with a clue to the inaccuracies of our era.
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Amanda Oil on Canvas 2019 50,5cm x 40,5cm R13500
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Shenaz Mohamed
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Artist Statement My work explores the relationship between the tactile and good and evil. With influences as diverse as young adult fantasy fiction and Louise Bourgeois, new combinations are manufactured from both explicit and implicit structures. Ever since I was a teenager I have been fascinated by the essential unreality of the zeitgeist. What starts out as triumph soon becomes manipulated into a tragedy of defeat, leaving only a sense of what could have been and the prospect of a new understanding. As temporal replicas become frozen through frantic and repetitive practice, the viewer is left with a hymn to the darkness of our era.
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Those Who Do Good Hand cut tyvek and found objects 2019 60cm x 5cm x 16cm R3000
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Bland & Boring is a curatorial collaboration between Odette Graskie and Chrisel van der Merwe. Bland & Boring began during March 2018, when they helped curate and hang Relatively Small in JHB CBD. This led to the two Johannesburg-based artists to decide to formally combine forces to save the world.
theblandandboring@gmail.com
nina@openwindow.co.za
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