Artists We Love: Athi-Patra Ruga

INTERVIEWED BY Ashraf Booley IMAGES courtesy of Athi-Patra Ruga and WHATIFTHEWORLD

Renowned South African artist Athi-Patra Ruga recently held a much-anticipated three-month exhibition at WHATIFTHEWORLD, entitled Queens in Exile, an exhibition that will now be heading to Europe. Here, we talk to the artist extraordinaire about his inspiration.

Tell us about Queens in Exile.
Queens in Exile is centred on a new avatar called The Versatile Queen Ivy, who performs imaginary resurrections and has conversations with three historical figures: Senegalese dancer Feral Benga, Delmas Treason Trialist Simon Tseko Nkoli, and transgender civil rights activist Sylvia Rivera (to whom the title is attributed). After showing in Cape Town in its entirety at WHATIFTHEWORLD in Woodstock, the exhibition will move on for a European cycle in autumn.

What are some of the key themes explored in this body of work?
My work explores the human body in relation to sensuality, culture and ideology.

What is the exhibition composed of, and which mediums have you used?
It is a continuation of my multimedia practice, which is based on performance art, photography, video, printmaking, sculpture and the largest petit point tapestries to be shown in this country.

Tell us more about your use of colour.
Colour is a pacifier – it appeases. I wanted to make sure that my work is, at times, light-hearted. But I am mindful that there’s something dubious about too much colour, especially for adults. This vulnerability then becomes a subversive device through which I demonstrate the dystopian.

What inspired the pieces in this exhibition?
The drive for delivering superior critical concepts at a level of craftsmanship that cannot be duplicated, career stamina and impeccable work ethic. That is what inspires my objects.

What’s next for you?
Mastery.