Classic masters and classic techniques are revived in the Cape this week.
- Under the helm of Master Printmaker, Zhané Warren, Warren Editions has established itself as an important resource for local visual artists interested in the revival of printmaking as a contemporary medium. The printmaking studio’s latest showcase focuses on the monotype technique as a means to explore the painterly qualities within the printmaking discipline. Sanell Aggenbach’s muted oil monotypes embrace the medium to unlock her underlying interest in fetish objects, totems and mementos. While her pictorial elements whisper soft sophistication in a muted palette, her images of Elvis, hot air balloons and sailing ships evoke an imaginative, whisical space that’s both intricate and mesmerizing. In contrast Georgina Gratrix’s colourful watercolour monotypes recall children’s stories in which churning, organic, bulbous forms suggest speech bubbles without the ‘POW!” and ‘BAM!” that cartoonists require. Similarly Michael Taylor exploits both Monotype and Chine Collé printing methods to add complexity to his gloriously playful and intelligent pop philosophical illustrative narratives.
Until January 21. Association For Visual Arts, 35 Church Street, Cape Town.
- For their new exhibition, titled Manet’s Too Tight To Mention, after Ed Young’s wonderfully witty text work, Whatiftheworld has teamed up with historian and dealer Deon Viljoen to present an exhibition of contemporary art, design, and antique Cape furniture. Highlighting the dynamic relationship that can exist between tradition and modernity, the show integrates and juxtaposes antique Cape pieces with contemporary works. It brings together new pieces by Gregor Jenkin, Xandre Kriel, Georgina Gatrix, Cameron Platter, Frauke Stegmann and Lyall Sprong, Lyndi Sales, Ed Young, Liam Mooney, Pierre Fouche, Julia Rosa Clark, and others; together with pieces by Dutch furniture-maker Patrick Schols.
Until January 22. Whatiftheworld, First Floor, 208 Albert Rd, Woodstock, Cape Town.