If not now when
James Thomas. Faith in the city. Mixed media on canvas, 100cm x 100cm
If not now when is an exhibition that features five talented young artists mentored by Brutal. a collective project space and mentorship programme that seeks to showcase and develop young creative talent.
These dedicated young artists have been given support in the form of quality materials and priceless support by established and internationally successful artists with decades of experience. The result of their ongoing guidance is confident artists with the potential to be as successful as their mentors.
The exhibition will be hosted by the WORLDART gallery in Cape Town from 1 – 29 September 2022.
Jean Luc (b. 1998) was born in Rwanda and moved Cape Town with his family in 2007. His paintings often feature abstracted blue alien like subjects - a reference to the alienation experienced by foreigners and refugees. Painting the figures blue and in abstract shapes heightens the concept of “othering” and the notion that they don’t belong in certain places and narratives. These almost unrecognisable figures, amplified by the use of simple lines, allow anyone who has ever felt ousted to identify with the images.
James Thomas (b. 1997) grew up in Johannesburg. As a teenager with a passion for skateboarding and living in the inner city, he became fascinated with the visual and socio-political landscape he experienced. This unique view
intrigued him and soon he started documenting his experiences, first writing, then drawing and eventually painting about his obsession with the nature of this African city.
“I know it is a cliché to refer to organised chaos, but this aspect of the city fascinates me. So I use various techniques to try and capture this chaotic order and its social dichotomies. Words are scrawled on the canvas as if a store front or bus stop and colours are harsh and monochromatic. These dualities are further emphasized by using the contrasting elements of abstraction and realism. The result is compositions that appear to be at odds with one another but when one looks at the bigger picture, it still is unified in a single reality.”
David Goldsmid (b. 2000) grew up in East London in the Eastern Cape (South Africa) and started painting at an early age. When he was fourteen a local art teacher took him under his wing and taught him how to paint with oil paint and how to do figures and portraits.
In 2019, aged eighteen, he moved to Cape Town where he began painting artworks that highlighted the inequalities and power structures in South Africa.
“I want my paintings to make people question what they have become so comfortable with.”
Aweh Migo (b. 1986) is a multimedia visual artist based in Cape Town. He studied graphic design at the Ruth Prowse School of Art and has more than fifteen years of experience in design, graffiti and painting. He has also been commissioned by prominent brands like Red Bull and Design Indaba to create large scale artworks for campaigns and events.
His style is characterised by semi-realistic visuals and bold colours inspired by hip-hop culture.
Lester van der Merwe (b. 1998) lives and works in Cape Town. He paints mainly with acrylics and on wood. His work is greatly inspired by the cubist and neo-expressionist movements as he feels this style of work is the most affective in telling his stories. Conflict and confusion are important subtexts in his work.
Brutal. was established in 2020 by Elad Kirshenbaum and Norman O’Flynn during the brutal days of Covid. It is a collective project space and art gallery that seeks to showcase and develop young creative talent. This includes a mentorship program, shop, residency and artist management facilities.
More information: Charl Bezuidenhout | charl@worldart.co.za | +27 21 423 3075