NEW DOG, OLD TRICKS – KHAYA WITBOOI’S FIRST SOLO EXHIBITION

Khaya Witbooi is not a familiar name. And maybe it’s too soon to say – but we’d like to add ‘yet’ to that sentence.

This young Cape Town artist’s exceptional and expressive style has grabbed the attention of serious art collectors over the past few months. And Worldart Gallery is thrilled to host his first solo exhibition from 11 March 2013.

The title of the exhibition, “New dog, old tricks” refers to the artist’s observation that South Africa post 1994 is increasingly looking like South Africa pre 1994. The role of cultural imperialism and disregard for “the people” in favour of foreign values is the theme of his mixed medium exhibition. Witbooi uses a combination of stencil techniques and oil painting to create backgrounds that are layered with iconic, modern imagery. The result is fresh urban art with an edgy feel.

Witbooi (35) was an art teacher and newspaper illustrator before working as a full time artist since 2009.

“New dog, old tricks” will be on show at Worldart (54 Church Street, Cape Town CBD) from Monday 11 March 2013
Hours: Monday to Friday 10am – 5pm and Saturday 10am – 1pm. Closed on Sundays. Exhibition concludes: Wednesday 27 March 2013