MICHELE MATHISON
STATES OF EMERGENCE
JOHANNESBURG
EXHIBITION OPENING
SATURDAY 8 JULY: 10H00 – 14H00
8 JULY – 19 AUGUST 2017
Earth Formations and the impact of human economic activity on the terrestrial landscape are at the heart Michele Mathison’s new exhibition States of Emergence.
The extraction and transportation of gigantic shards of stone, across borders between neighbouring countries, forms a narrative; one that obliquely references Mathison’s countrymen and fellow sculptors. Although born in South Africa the artist grew up in, and takes inspiration from, Zimbabwe with its rich history in stone sculpture.
States of Emergence is both a formalist study in materiality and an exploration of what stone sculpture means in a commoditized world. The works on exhibition have begun their lives as pieces of rock destined for reconstruction into everyday objects: counters, gravestones, and pavements. But the contrary use by the artist of domestic stone as fragments of high art lends them gravitas. Mathison’s stone sculptures are a symbolic gesture in which he gives back to the earth that which has been taken away.
WHATIFTHEWORLD
19 Keyes Avenue
The Trumpet. Keyes Art Mile
Rosebank, Johannesburg
Viewing Hours
Tues – Fri 09.00 – 17.00
Sat 09.00 – 15.00
Or by appointment
T. +27 (10) 594 5062
M. +27 63 251 9523
E. londi@whatiftheworld.com
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