Shaped by the Earth

Art Forms presents soil of text¹ [the text of soil²], a group exhibition curated by Jean Dreyer that explores the communal nature of making and meaning.

PHOTOS Courtesy of Art Forms

Exploring the dialogue between the terrestrial and language, soil of text¹ [the text of soil²] – a new multidisciplinary group exhibition at Art Forms – sets out to create a conversation between the artists, the gallery space and the earth.

At the centre of the exhibition, works by ceramic artists such as Katherine Glenday and Ben Orkin reveal how language can live in clay. Pieces by Nicholas Sithole, Madoda Fani, Ledelle Moe and Amy Rusch examine South Africa’s layered histories and landscapes. Maja Marx’s site-specific painting responds directly to the gallery’s architecture, while Katherine Glenday’s vessels enter into dialogue with Gerhard Marx’s Elsewhere. Across the space, works listen, answer and co-create meaning.

Showcasing work from 22 artists, the exhibition – curated by Jean Dreyer – guides visitors through these interconnections, showing how soil becomes a shared language binding us to one another and to the earth.

Featured artists include:

• Annegret Affolderbach
• Alistair Blair
• Jenna Burchell
• Hanien Conradie
• Madoda Fani
• Douglas Gimberg
• Katherine Glenday
• Maia Lehr-Sacks
• Gerhard Marx
• Maja Marx
• Michele Mathison
• Hennie Meyer
• Ledelle Moe
• Eva Obodo
• J.M. Otto
• Ben Orkin
• Amy Rusch
• Nicholas Sithole
• Sonja Swan
• Diana Vives
• Barbara Wildenboer

soil of text¹ [the text of soil²] is currently showing at Art Forms in the Old Biscuit Mill until 9 June 2026. | artformes.com

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