Andries Botha exhibits rare body of work at Grande Provence  

The Gallery at Grande Provence, Franschhoek – 30 October - 25 November 2016

Afrikaner Circa 2014, Acrylic on canvas, landscape in the manner of Pierneef; Material One; mild steel; 3D printed figure in Supawood; artificial landscape turf, Variable, 2014. (Die Ram in die hok)

An exhibition of major works spanning the illustrious 40 year career of South Africa’s preeminent contemporary sculptor, Andries Botha, entitled Being Here (and there), opens at The Gallery at Grande Provence in Franschhoek on Sunday, 30 October 2016.

Botha, whose mixed media sculptures have been exhibited across the globe but are rarely seen in South Africa, will be showing four works created in his Durban studio, representing a time line of his life as an artist. In addition, the exhibition includes 10 large digital prints and four multi-media maquettes.

  

Embarkation, Polypropylene rope, wattle (exotic tree), galvanized sheeting, plastic sheeting, canvas, stainless steel mesh, mild steel, found objects, resin, lead, W7m x H1,8m x D3,5m, 1995.

“These sculptures span 40 years of a glittering career, one made in each decade, and have never been seen together. Indeed one of the works has only ever been seen at Documenta in Kassel, Germany in the 1990s,” says Trent Read, director of The Gallery at Grande Provence and curator of the exhibition.

Given his ambivalence towards exhibiting his works in a public space, the exhibition, considered one of the most important art events in South Africa this year, sees Botha embarking on a personal journey from the private into the public self. Botha sees his role as an artist essentially as confirmation of his own humanity rather than creating marketable art that can be displayed in a gallery.

“Most of my major works were made as part of my own meditation on self within the frightening, or challenging South African space, exhibited (mostly abroad) as part of larger group shows, then crated and stored (hidden again),” says Botha, who tries to locate the human within the visceral, social and cultural spectacle.

“The complex South African context unashamedly frames the universal human experience, mine as well. It is difficult to imagine expressing myself in any other way,” he adds.

  

Genesis, Genesis, Jesus … , Leadwood, thatching grass, metal, L2700mm x W1230mm x H 2000mm, 1989. 

The major works to be exhibited at Grande Provence by this celebrated international sculptor include Embarkation, Afrikaner Circa 2014, and Genesis, Genesis, Jesus… , which are all mixed media sculptural installations shaped from objects such as rope, wattle, metal, wood, thatching grass and found objects.

Open from 10h00 to 18h00 daily, The Gallery at Grande Provence will feature Being Here (and there), from 11h00 until 18h00. Angels Tears wine will be served at the official opening on Sunday, 30 October.

For more information on The Gallery at Grande Provence, call Tel: 021 876 8630 or send an e-mail to gallery@grandeprovence.co.za. To extend your stay, contact The Owners Cottage at Tel: 021 876 8600 or send an e-mail to ownerscottage@grandeprovence.co.za for accommodation options.