Drawing its reference from basic human interactions or lack thereof in recent months, the exhibition presented the artistic practice of 6 August House based artists.

Expressed in the form of several Acts, the exhibition presentation emulated conversations between artists, just as one would find between individuals in a social setting or in the form of internal monologues. Each grouping of artists’ works was presented in the form of “Acts”, as a way of showcasing cross-pollination and/or differences in perspectives, experiences, imaginings and even histories which culminate in a visual dialogue.

Aspects that have long preoccupied artistic practice and presented in this exhibition included ideas around identity formulation, masculinity, personal stories and contemplations on the contemporary human condition among others.

“An Exhibition in several Acts/A lexigram of ideas” was presented in both virtual and physical formats and encouraged audiences to participate – rather than retain the viewer as a passive recipient of information in the reading of each artwork through a series of online and in situ prompts.

In addition to a physical exhibition and an online presentation (including a 3D exhibition tour), we presented the following additional programmatic elements:

Act I : Strategies of being
This segment’s focus is on artistic strategies of navigating issues around identity and one’s place in society.

Roland Gunst_John K Cobra
Johan Stegmann
– online discussion with participating artists is available here.

Act II : Monologues and contemplations

This Act centred on the internal thoughts the artists contemplate when considering the narratives they are to express and how these are translated into final works.

Mmabatho Grace Mokalapa
Nyakallo Maleke
Bambolwami Sibiya
– online discussion with participating artists is available here

Act III : Metamorphosis
This part of the exhibition expresses the artist’s visual representation of ideas of possibility and change.

Percy Maimela
Bambolwami Sibiya
Roland Gunst_John K Cobra
– online discussion with participating artists is available here

Exhibition Catalogue available here