"Robert Hodgins - 50 Years a Painter"
2001-12-12 until 2002-02-03
Sasol Art Museum, University of Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch, , ZA South Africa

Hodgins is regarded as one of the prime bridge builders between the 20th and 21st centuries. This artist made a decision in September 1951 that changed the course of his life. While a student at Goldsmith College, London, he chose painting as major and thus began a lifetime and a career devoted to the art. The coming exhibition will showcase examples of his word from as early as 1953 to today, thus offering the visitor a panoramic overview of the artist's output over the past half century.

In his expressionistic paintings Hodgins represents historical events, images and impressions, which remained in his mind over the years. According to the art critic Lucia Burger, the artist's relationship with paint on canvas and the power of his figurative work is of cardinal importance in the understanding of his work. Spontaneous happenings and manipulation of paint play a role in the final product, with paint being applied by brush - flowing, bleeding and staining the canvas, with sections left blank to visually convey feelings and emotions.

His sense of humour and his love of words are evident in titles such as Dame ou Camelia, Man eating chop and Oh, oh she cried with a cracked voice. Hodgins confronts the canvas and the seduction of paint on canvas through an intuitive process of marks, colours and forms, from which emerges an image of the contradictions of being human.

Robert Hodgins’ work has been shown in museums and art galleries across the world and is included in important South African collections, as well as a number of international collections.

IMAGE:
Robert Hodgins
Hoofers (Song and Dance)

Related Links:

Indepth Arts Resources for South Africa

Other Important Exhibitions in South Africa