Art Exhibitions

A compelling exhibition exploration of transience and transformation in contemporary South African art. Curated from the Art Bank of South Africa Collection, this exhibition interrogates the concept of temporary stays and their profound impact on human experience.

Sojourn examines the intricate interplay between transience and permanence, challenging perceptions of time, place, and identity. The carefully curated selection navigates the multifaceted dimensions of sojourning through diverse artistic expressions. Vanessa Tembane’s digital collages juxtapose South African imagery with those of her Mozambican relatives, creating hybridized composites that explore cultural identity and diaspora experiences. By incorporating capulanas—traditional fabrics from her ancestral homeland—Tembane constructs imagined memories, fostering a deeper sense of belonging. Audrey Anderson’s cityscapes, rendered in printmaking and ink on canvas, feature enlarged figures floating above urban landscapes, echoing themes of displacement and observation. This visual metaphor resonates with the exhibition’s exploration of temporary dwelling and its impact on perception.

Identity as a theme is prominently featured in works by Lebo Thoka, Ilené Bothma, and Dimaktso Mathopa. Their pieces reflect on female representation, self-mirroring, and the loss of identity due to patriarchal norms or gender-based violence, offering a poignant commentary on societal sojourns. Azael Langa’s Mobile Home expressively captures the essence of transience. The artist’s use of acrylic and smoke on canvas to depict a female figure carrying her belongings emphasizes the fragility of her reality, embodying the exhibition’s central theme of impermanence.

The ArtbankSA curatorial team states: “Through Sojourn, we aim to foster dialogue about impermanence and its role in shaping our understanding of self and other. This exhibition invites reconsideration of our relationships with place, time, and cultural identity in an increasingly interconnected world.”

The Sojourn exhibition will be opened by Acting Assistant Project Manager Yolanda de Kock.

This exhibition not only offers a viewing experience but also provides an opportunity to acquire contemporary artworks. For more information about ArtbankSA and artwork acquisition, please visit www.artbanksa.org or contact Yolanda de Kock at fs1@artbanksa.org or 051 447 9606.

Address: 16 Harry Smith Street, Dan Pienaar

Tel: 051 447 9609