18 Jan Ibethiwe Aphuke / beaten, not broken – 25 March 2023 @12pm
Group Exhibition
Ibethiwe Aphuke / beaten, not broken
SPACE Modern
25 March – 2 April 2023
Opening Saturday 25 March at 12 pm
Please RSVP at [email protected]
Ibethiwe Aphuke is a group show, spotlighting a range of work inclusive of all cultures, genders, ethnicities, and backgrounds, and placing gender-based violence (GBV) under an unflinching gaze. Invited visual and performing artists — both famous and unknown — will, through their subject matter, bring awareness to the effects of GBV, and spark discussions on possible solutions and finding collective ways forward. The ideal? To envision, contribute to and move towards, a Hermanus, South Africa, and Earth, that is free of GBV.
This show will form the backdrop for the performance work by Elzabé Zietsman Femme is Fatale on 24 March at 8pm.
We’ll be raising funds through exhibition sales. These funds will be donated to local organisations that work to prevent GBV in their communities.
We believe that art plays a pivotal role in sparking conversations — and actions — that change the world. Gender-based violence is so pervasive as to be considered endemic — a constant presence to be lived with, however uncomfortably.
We want to change this narrative, and empower participants and viewers: to imagine a world free of GBV; to acknowledge it, take heart and take action against it. Working together, we can envision, and work towards, a new reality — no contribution too small.
Participating artists:
Arabella Caccia
Berry Meyer
Chris Denovan
Diane Victor
JC Bölke
Jenny Jackson
Judy Woodbourne
Kendall – Leigh Nash
Lorraine van Wyk
Lerato Motau
Lynettte ten Krooden
Marinda Kotzé
Mark Chapman
Maureen Visagé
Niel Jonker
Obert Jongwe
Vanessa Berlein
Charities and GBV Action Groups:
Saartjie Baartman Centre – @saartjiebaartmanscentre – Nominated by Kendall – Leigh Nash
SA Woman Fight Back – @sawomanfb – Nominated b y JC Bölke
The Change Collective Africa – @thechangecollectiveafrica – Nominated by Vanessa Berlein
The Safe House – @thesafehouse.sa – Nominated by Arabella Caccia
POWA – @powa_za – Nominated by Lerato Motau
The Pride Shelter Trust – @pride_sheltertrust – Nominated by Judy Woodbourne
Self defense classes at GB’s Boxing and Fitness, Hermanus – @gbsboxing – Nominated by Rossouw Modern/Chris Denovan/Jenny Jackson/Lynette ten Krooden
(Everyone reading, send me your GBV action group details that you know of or follow so that I can add them.)
The Art Works:
More works will be added every day….
Arabella Caccia
“These embroideries are made on had dyed and hand woven fabric , usually made by women, the fabric is painted with symbols that represent fertility and protection. The cloth is often traditionally used as a form of protection, after initiation or life transforming events including child birth and illness.
These embroideries were made during and after I was going through hard core chemotherapy as a treatment for cancer. The symbols and imagery overlaid in embroidery and beading are rooted in my own iconography having grown up in Italy where faded frescos of purgatory and heaven informed my early visual language.
These works represent the confluence of cultures that have informed my life, a multi-culturalism that I honour and feel has enriched my life experience in a deep and fundamental way.”
Ascent | Embroidery, beading and appliqué on repurposed mud cloth and hand dyed indigo fabric from Ivory Coast | 136 x 287 cm | 2022 | R140 000
Due to the fact that we want to promote the sale of this work for charity, the price has been significantly lowered
Descent | Embroidery, beading and appliqué on repurposed mud cloth | 130 x 267 cm | 2022 | R140 000
Due to the fact that we want to promote the sale of this work for charity, the price has been significantly lowered
Chris Denovan
is a thousand times more effective and permanent than the one derived from fear and punishment.’
Dicoma Anamala | Oil on Canvas | 190 x 160 cm | R70 000
Diane Victor
Shattered Woman + Minor Damage | Charcoal | 70 x 110 cm | SOLD
JC Bölke
All of us know someone or know of someone who has experienced some form of gender based violence.
This artwork represents all the woman who have undergone some form of violence, weather it be physical or emotional. Bruised beauty depicts the woman who have escaped this situation. She addresses the viewer with sad eyes to make them aware of what was happening.
She is showing the viewer that even though you go through these situations, if you start loving yourself more and more that you can escape and you can be the person you ought to be. The roses on her head depicts this love and the blossoming of her new life and future.
Bruised Beauty | Oil & Hand Embroidery on Canvas | 34 x 24 cm | R11 500
Jenny Jackson
Why is this happening? Is it my fault maybe? How can I get out of it? Who can I tell? Where can I go?
? | Oil on Canvas | 46 x 35 cm | R12 900
Judy Woodbourne
The 3 Fates of Mankind were Clotho who spun the thread of life into existence, Lachesis who measured the length of the thread and Atropos who cut the thread of life. These works remind us of the fragility of life, the fleeting nature of time and how we are all equal in life and death. Gender based violence is an unacceptable problem targeting the vulnerable in society which must be addressed and eradicated.
Dream-catcher’ Lachesis | Linocut | 61 X 83 cm (framed) | R12 000 The Weaver, Clotho | Linocut | 61 X 83 cm (framed) | R12 000
Kendall-Leigh Nash
This piece is titled embrace, and takes on two different types of meanings. Initially when you look at it, you will see a couple embracing, however as you look closer you see the bruises and scratches on her body and the grip he has on her. This speaks to the fact that many GBV victims are subject to abuse by their own partners or someone close to them, the people who are meant to love them and respect them. There is a vulnerability in the woman who is embracing her partner out of fear. The grip symbolises the control that the partner has over her; emotionally and physically. What can be disguised as love is in fact the opposite. It is all about power, control and insecurity in the abuser. The toxic embrace.
Embrace | Charcoal and pastel on paper | 53cm x 70cm | 2023
Lerato Motau
Seven off-shoulder jerseys have been developed into artworks through embroidered images on them. The luscious wool surfaces reference portraits of women who bear enormous hardship but put on a brave public face. Textured and relief surfaces are made from specific embroidery techniques to create form beyond two-dimensional pattern. The type of garment is significant because the off-shoulder top is suggestive of power as well as seduction. There is a juxtaposition of control and fragility, confidence and meekness. The process of making involves an active imbuing of emotions; which include feelings of hopelessness, submitting to something that I know is wrong and feeling trapped like a bird in a cage. In particular, these are articulated into the stiches of the cheeks of the portraits.
The artworks explore different shades of green which is a palette that continues from previous bodies of work. For me the green represents growth, health, balance, rebirth, renewal and prosperity. Through their usage in these works, I aim to give some positivity to a dejected situation.
Woman who have names and faces | Series of Seven Garments | Wool | 60 x 65 cm | R18 000 each
Lorraine van Wyk
Lorraine will be in action setting up an art installation in the gallery at the opening
Details to follow
Lynette ten Krooden
The work was made with the ashes and earth from campfires where the women bake their bread for the family.
The ashes was gathered on my travels from four different countries: Mali, Egypt, Oman and South Africa.
May the bread that we eat be a constant reminder of the quiet scourge of genderbased violence that sometimes hide in the dark.
See Me | Mixed Media on Canvas | 140 x 180 cm | R92 000
Mark Chapman
The Red Hand | Ceramic | 32 x 16 x20 cm | SOLD
Maureen Visagé
Innocence Lost | Ceramic Clay & 8 Carat Gold | 25 x 20 x 25 cm | SOLD