Women Lead the Way at DK Publishing
by Kresta Tyler Johnson
David Krut (DK) Publishing is launching the first book, one of many to come hopefully, under its own imprint. Through the Looking Glass: Representations of Self by South African Women Artists is written by Brenda Schmahmann and will coincide with the exhibition she curated for the centenary celebrations at Rhodes University, showing at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival in July. The book itself expands beyond the exhibition and is meant as an authoritative text that will far outlive the actual exhibition.
Author, art historian and professor Brenda Schmahmann first approached Krut last spring with the intention of producing a catalogue in conjunction with the exhibition. Interested by her basic concept, Krut encouraged Schmahmann to create a more substantial publication based upon her theme of women's forms of self-representation. The result is the beautifully illustrated, informative book that will be published along with an educational supplement by Philippa Hobbs.
Publications on South African art are still so few and far between, that we welcome any new venture in this area. Substantive, recorded material is crucial to the life of art. This publication demonstrates the strength of contemporary South African art and culture, particularly in respect to women. The book hopes to shed light on themes and issues such as memory and body politics, and provide insight into both well- and lesser-known works of art.
Schmahmann and Krut have chosen to launch the book prior to the exhibition to assist in publicising, as well as to emphasise that the book exceeds the confines of the physical exhibition. The new book is partially sponsored by the National Arts Council of South Africa, The National Lottery and David Krut Arts Resource. Hopefully the project will result in the initiation of a new series of publications, similar to the TAXI-art series.
The educational supplement of this book, Krut hopes, will aid in the enlightenment not only of South Africans, but also of the international community. The didactic component of each DK publication is a significant body of writing which helps to foster a valid arts media and project the world class potential of South African art.
