!Kauru Contemporary African Art presents CLOSE, a contemporary art exhibition at the Johannesburg Art Gallery (JAG), Johannesburg from 24 May - 24 June 2018, curated by Zingisa Nkosinkulu (South Africa), Violet Nantume (Uganda) and Nyambura M. Waruingi (Kenya).
Currently in its 7th year, !Kauru Contemporary African Art continues to promote cultural diversity and stimulate discourse about issues affecting the continent using contemporary visual arts.The project continues to grow and expand its reach through the support of the Department of Arts and Culture, International Relations.
CLOSE features works by 11 accomplished established and emerging artists from Africa and the African diaspora including Lungiswa Gqunta (SA), Yaye Kassamali (Kenya-USA), Stacey Gillian Abe (Uganda), Lady Skollie (SA), Jenny Nijenhuis (SA), Henry “Mzili” Mujunga (Uganda), Nondumiso Msimanga (SA),Athi-Patra Ruga (SA), Neo Musangi (Kenya), Minette VᲩ (SA), and James Muriuki (Kenya).
CLOSE relates to proximity, it can be considered to be tension-ridden and to illuminate experiences of ambivalence, delirium and entanglement. The exhibition interrogates tension as a critical moment of reflection on the liminal spaces between things and beings, sex and desire. Contemporary artworks will explore themes of proximity, intimacy, personal space, tension, between things, perspiration, violence, discomfort, gender binaries, and breathlessness.
See some snapshots of the works below:
Khoisan Kween Mother by Lady Skollie Photo: Tyburn Gallery
What a lot I've lost by Lungiswa Gqunta Photo: What if the world Gallery, Cape Town
CLOSE runs at the Johannesburg Art Gallery until June 24