WORDS Elize de Beer
David Krut Projects has collaborated with a wide range of artists working in the realm of abstraction.
Abstract art uses a unique visual language of shape, form, colour and line to create a composition that exists independently from visual references. Since the early 1900s, abstract art is a central stream of modern art and has continued to expand with contemporary South African art, offering an exciting and explorative visual narrative.
Artists such as Stephen Hobbs, Mongezi Ncaphayi and Jacob van Schalkwyk have all brought elements of abstraction to their practice. Through collaborative work at the David Krut Workshop (DKW) and work within their studios these artists have taken advantage of abstraction to explore a range of concepts and methodologies.
Stephen Hobbs’s practice is informed by the visual language of cities, written language and the notion of camouflage. These ideas are translated through letterpress prints, etchings, monotypes, artist books and sculptures, as seen in his most recent 2017 showcase, No Fusion. His works display a strong level of abstraction, as seen in DSCF/1252/1, 2012. However, he also juxtaposes abstraction with recognisable forms, allowing for viewers to consider the constructs in their own environments – physically, architecturally and personally.
Stephen Hobbs – DSCF/1252/1
Stephen Hobbs – If You Look
Unlike Hobbs, Mongezi Ncaphayi’s works are purely abstract. Mongezi explores politics, power, gender, social atrocities, migration and urban spaces. These ideas are translated through abstract “mapping” compositions, which make use of lines, vivid colour fields and shapes, as seen in Wonder Vessels, 2015 and Joyful Voyage, 2017. Line has a strong presence in the artist’s work. He states: “Lines are simply the basis and fundamental aspects of drawing. Line is everywhere – in nature, geometry, absolutely everything. Different lines have different feelings, which I can use differently to portray different emotions.”
Mongezi Ncaphayi – Wonder Vessels
Mongezi Ncaphayi – Joyful Voyage
Jacob van Schalkwyk investigates different methodologies for mark-making and how forms come into being. He explains that “the species of art that interests me here is not working in figurative/known forms. I want to speak about abstract forms.” These ideas are embodied in the works showcased at his recent solo project and print launch, DOLCEFARNIENTE, which includes gestural drawings from his Klaar Gepraat, 2017 series and prints created at the David Krut Workshop.
Jacob van Schalkwyk – Klaar Gepraat 1_14
Jacob van Schalkwyk – Waltz
All three artists will be exhibited at this year’s 2017 FNB JoburgArtFair.
This article is adapted from an article on the David Krut Projects website, exclusively for VISI.co.za.
