This exhibition from The Printing Girls (TPGs) might not look the way you expected it to. It might not feel the way you thought it would. It might not be the way you anticipated. Our strength lies in the quiet and steadfast perseverance against a history of inequality and unkindness in many fields. It lies in the depth of how we feel each wrong and unjust thing in this world. It lies in the unity we forge through relationships with our grandmothers, mothers, aunts, sisters, daughters, and female friends. Our strength lies in the honesty with which we speak.
For TPGs, it lies in every rotation made by the printing press and each hiss of inky brayer. It lies in every mark we make. TPGs might not be the loudest, most provocative, most aggressive revolutionary female art collective around, but do not be fooled. Do not underestimate our strength. Core to the ethos of TPG lies a sense of solidarity and community.
During the 16 days of nationwide activism around abuse against women and children, this
exhibition features 16 prints from several TPGs.
The selected works are intended to reveal just a fraction of the life experiences of women in our country. Here we show the shared struggles of women – but also the unity that may be created when we support and work alongside each other. We are always stronger together. We chose not to add artists’ statements to the works, but rather invite you to read into them what you will - however, the gallery invited 16 South Africans to voice their thoughts around the campaign, and we have randomly paired an artwork with a statement – a kind of duo surreal exquisite corpse.
DAY 1
MBALI TSHABALALA THE PAST IS ALWAYS PRESENT I
DAY 2
JOSE VERMEIJ YOU ARE FINE THE WAY YOU ARE
DAY 3
HEIDI MIEKLE REMEMBERING ANENE
DAY 4
FIVER LOCKER THE WOMAN WHO LEAPT TO THE MOON
DAY 5
LUCY STUART-CLARK HER TRUTH IS SELDOM CONVENIENT
DAY 6
NEESKE ALEXANDER WOMXN
DAY 7
ALLISON KLEIN DIRTY LAUNDRY
DAY 8
RENEE JOHANNES SAPPHIRE
DAY 9
FIVER LOCKER THE WOMAN WHO LOST HER SKIN
DAY 10
MARIETTE MOMBERG STILL WE RISE
DAY 11
ALLISON KLEIN & HELENA UAMBEMBE AS BIRDS DO, MOTHER
DAY 12
AMY-JANE VAN DEN BERGH THANK GOD HER BOOBS HAD LASERS …
DAY 13
LISA NETTLETON & RENEE JOHANNES THE BURDEN
DAY 14
MAVIS TSHABALALA THE PAST IS ALWAYS PRESENT II
DAY 15
MARELISE VAN WYK FEATHER DUSTER I (DIPTYCH WITH FEATHER DUSTER II)
DAY 16
MARELISE VAN WYK FEATHER DUSTER II (DIPTYCH WITH FEATHER DUSTER I)