Variety of art comes to Ballito
ROM large abstracts to freestanding sculptures and art photography, Imbizo Gallery in Ballito has a display of artwork that will intrigue art lovers. In Touch is an absorbing mix of sculpture and art that runs until April 30.
The artists include Marke Meyer, Brandon Borgelt, Llewellyn Davies and Everett Duarte, and the exhibition shows varying styles as the artists display their sense of the aesthetics of life and the human form.
Tonight chatted to sculptor Meyer about the exhibition and what his representation symbolises.
“I am predominantly interested in the aesthetics of line that one can achieve through using figures in certain poses,” he said.
“My interest is not in representational or naturalistic work, but in the expression of a ‘state of mind’, a ‘mood’ and the aesthetic of the simplest flowing line that can be described by the human figure. I prefer the nude for the free-flowing lines and for the sense of completeness, selfcontainment and self-acceptance that can be associated with the idea of ‘being nude’ while remaining ignorant or unconcerned about the onlooker.
“As a poet, I have a strong affiliation with the feminine psyche and often use the female figure as a vehicle to portray my own thoughts, ideas, and state of mind. I also use sculpture to explore the life force of each model I work with. I am more concerned with ‘inner states’ and use the nude figure as an embodiment of this ‘feeling’.
“My work does not objectify women; it is not about sexuality. It describes freedom from constraints, self-acceptance and a state of completeness,” he says.
Isabel Roos, curator and owner of Imbizo Gallery in Ballito, says the title of the exhibition was chosen for several reasons.
“I feel this is a perfect title for a group exhibition of this nature. All the artists exhibiting are fiercely in touch with their passion and their chosen subject matter. These artists are in touch with the world and their own sensitivities thereof.”
Meyer’s challenge as a sculptor has been related to financial issues.
FHe says: “Sculpting is a very expensive and time-consuming business. The costs of mouldmaking and bronze casting have at times been prohibitive. I would go for a year or two without producing a single piece as I waited for the sale of an earlier piece to help finance the new one. Most galleries take work in on consignment. This means the sculptor has to invest large sums of money in the form of bronze casts already paid for, into each gallery that supplies his work.
“Over five years I reinvested the income from the sale of my pieces in new pieces, one became two, two became four. Now I have a good stock holding and many repeat customers that makes it way easier to continue with my selfexpression through sculpture.”
He feels artists have the privilege of doing what they love as a career:
“Although art for most artists does not provide a regular and predictable income, we accept this as part of the path we have chosen. The struggle makes the artist even more determined to produce his unique work. From time to time we receive validation as people find our work meaningful or buy one of our works. The drive to continue comes from within. It is unavoidable. We have no option but to create.”
Meyer says those who attend In Touch will be rewarded with the high quality of the work. “There will be something intriguing for everyone as the In Touch artists are all so varied in styles, media and expression.”
In Touch runs until April 30 at the Imbizo Gallery, Shop 7a, Lifestyle Centre in Ballito. Call 031 946 1937.