Artist: XOLILE MTAKATYA | Title: On the Move | Media: Oil

 

OUT AND ABOUT
Opening May 17
On view until June 17

This is the second time we have postponed this exhibition due to the uncertainty as to what the next week will bring. We wholeheartedly believe in this exhibition and the artists featured which is why we have worked so hard to try and make sure that it will go up, and be seen.

However, we are only allowed to reopen at level 3 lockdown so we are awaiting news regarding when we will be back. Should we reach level 3 and be able to open The Cape Gallery and install the exhibition in situ we welcome visitors.

Forwarding an exhibition called out and about during a global lockdown is an irony not lost on us. However, we believe that in our isolation the importance of community and togetherness have only become more apparent. Many of the artists featured create works about life in townships and rural villages, Covid-19 has centred our attention, once more, on the dismal plight of many of the poor living in the urban communities across South Africa. There are still inequalities to address, there is still deprivation and hunger but with it comes hope for more opportunity and a better life.

Artist: XOLILE MTAKATYA | Title: The Flight I | Media: Oil & Charcoal

 

Artist: SOLOMON SIKO | Title: Boys with wheels | Media: Oil on canvas

 

About the Exhibition and the artists

‘Out and About’ celebrates the lives and aspirations of the Ordinary People living in urban and rural areas across South Africa. Many of the artists showing at this exhibition were trained in the 1980s at C.A.P.; The community Arts Project in Woodstock, Cape Town, by University of Cape Town graduates seeking to address the inequalities of the past exclusions in the educational system. In realising a uniquely South African identity the artists who were mentored at C.A.P. foregrounded the aspirations of the time; the desire for running water, electricity, adequate housing and the ironies engendered by unequal opportunity. The rhythms of jazz, song and dance also energised their paintings.

A popular, down to earth and vibrant approach, often naïve, characterized their output which was dubbed ‘Street Art’. Vital, authentic and ‘new’ the work of these artists found a place here and abroad and their work has become not only significant to a new South Africa but highly collectable.

 

Artist: TIMOTHY ZANTSI | Title: Endurance 1994 | Media: Oil

About C.A.P

The Community arts project was founded in 1977 in Mowbray, Cape Town, partially as a response to the 1976 youth uprising and partially due to a dearth of spaces for artists suffering under the oppression of Apartheid. It moved to its better-known location in Woodstock in 1982.

C.A.P became an epicentre for arts and culture in Cape Town, and across South Africa. Their mission to foster artistic networks and mentorships across racial lines allowed it to bring formerly disparate artistic groups together. Under apartheid, this togetherness alone was a political statement and this contributed to C.A.Ps championing of struggle and protest art. Art is a powerful tool, it creates a visceral reaction deep inside the soul, the work coming out of C.A.P was seen the world over, raising awareness of the plight of the politically disenfranchised.

 

Artist: PATRICK HOLO | Title: Geometric Mask 1.19 | Media: Acrylic on board

Featured Artists
Click the artist’s name to view more work.

Boyce Magandela
David Hlongwane
Mandla Vanyaza
Meshack Tembani
Patrick Holo
Timothy Zantsi
Solomon Siko
Vuyisani Mgijima
Xolile Mtakatya

 

Artist: MESHACK TEMBANI | Title: After the Service III – Media: Oil on board

 

Artist: MANDLA VANYAZA | Title: Luyolo | Media: Oil on canvas

 

Artist: DAVID HLONGWANE | Title: Tomorrow never comes, young woman | Media: Acrylic on board

 

Artist: Artist: BOYCE MAGANDELA | Title: Coming From the Shopping (26331) | Media: Acrylic on board