"Call for Artists: Van Boerekitsch en ander Dinge"
2007-01-01 until 2007-02-28
gordart Gallery
Johannesburg, , ZA South Africa

"Van Boerekitsch en ander Dinge" will be held at the ABSA KKNK festival Oudtshoorn 2007. This exhibition will relate strongly to the South African past where we have all been a victim of or at least experienced Kitsch of some sort in our homes. Whether this is the fluffy dice and orange on the aerial, the nodding dogs, Tretchikoff prints, zulu lulu dolls, crocheted doilies, zebraskin rugs, 3 ducks on the wall, African wooden figures with springbok skin shields or charming ceramic spotted dogs and doe-eyed cats we all have seen them in abundance. Many of these have now become sought-after and fetch high prices at auctions.

These tasteless objects tell us much about our history in South Africa and how we as a nation have tried to assimilate each other s cultures and thank goodness how we have changed. The rise of Boerekitsch particularly is of interest as a new generation of artists and designers are now re-evaluating their political and cultural pasts, making reference to political figures and images of bygone days. Oom Paul Kruger, The Monument, drawings of blood river, ox wagons, H F Verwoerd and many other images appear on plates, cushions, trays and of course in paintings sculptures and graphic art forms.

I curated a show last year called ... of boerekitsch and other things! ... at Merely mortal gallery in Jhb. It was such a raving success that sold well and was well covered in the media because it was light-hearted and poked fun at absolutely everyone and everything. The show at KKNK will extend on the idea without re-showing those works (most of which have been sold). It will be a visually exciting show that should attract a large audience because it will have images that most people will relate to. Our country has reached an age where we are able to laugh at ourselves and take light-hearted ownership of our often bad taste past.

The show itself gives a greater opportunity for a large group of artists to participate and get exposure as well as have some fun.

Artists are invited to submit works for this exhibition using kitsch and particularly South African kitsch as a starting point. Images should be sent to gordon@gordartgallery.com or by post to 78 Third Ave Melville 2092. These should reach us by 28 February 2007. Artists will be notified of their acceptance or not by Mon 7 March 2007. A jury will select final works for the exhibition. There is no restriction on media but electronic or specialised equipment will have to be provided by the artists. There is no participation fee, but all costs of production will be for the expense of the artist. The curator will cover the costs of transportation from gordart gallery (or a designated place), to Oudtshoorn and back. Artists are welcome to organise their own insurance for works. The exhibition at KKNK will be secured but we cannot accept responsibility for the theft or damage (not very likely though).

I look forward to your submissions that should be clever, witty, beautiful and engaging. Please circulate this as widely as possible to ensure a brilliant exhibition.

For all other enquiries contact me on 084 4238635.

GORDON FROUD

Related Links:

Indepth Arts Resources for South Africa

Other Important Exhibitions in South Africa

Syncretism : Steven Rehfeld and Guy Clement Cohen - Art People Gallery Work by John Powell Selected for Through the Eyes of Love Exhibition - ArtCenter of South Florida - Miami Beach Community Health Center Once Upon a Graffiti by Helene Mukhtar - Ion Studio Corporeal Dream : A Solo Exhibition by Lie Fhung - SIGIarts Call for Artists : Proposals for Public Art Project - Southern Alberta Art Gallery Call for Artists : Community Arts Initiative - The Artist Project - Museum of Fine Art Boston Alexis Harding : Bi-product Depositories - Mummery + Schnelle Gallery der PROZESS : hunchentoot goes out 2 - Enda Odonoghue to Take Part - hunchentoot Galerie INTIMACY AND DESECRATION : The Body, Gender and Identity - CACT - centro d'arte contemporanea ticino Mark Edward Harris : The Art of the Japanese Bath - Kopeikin Gallery