Artist Pradervand explores age-old themes in new body of work
Boundary-pushing artist Marc Pradervand opened his new solo exhibition, White Clay Halo, at the GFI gallery in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday.
Pradervand is originally from East London but now based in the village of Riebeek East, near Grahamstown. He is known for exploring provocative political, social, psychological and sexual themes.
Previous creations confronting social issues such as violence, power, abuse and consumerism are included in this exhibition. However, the emphasis is on his newer work which tends to be more influenced by nature and the socalled first cultures, including the San.
Pradervand has a national diploma in photography from the former PE Technikon (now NMU) and a higher diploma in education from the PE Teachers’ College.
He walked away from a well-established career as a professional photographer in 2008 to move to Riebeek East with his wife, mosaic artist Yolande.
The exhibition was opened by Eastern Cape artist Dolla Sapeta, whom Pradervand credited as having inspired him to pursue painting full time.
Though his new work is not quite as shocking and unsettling, it is by no means less visually arresting, employing Pradervand’s bold use of colour, design and symbolism in a style reminiscent of Norman Catherine, Walter Battiss and Derrick Erasmus.
● The GFI gallery is at 30 Park Drive and White Clay Halo may be viewed until September 24. Inquiries: 041-586-3973.