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Absa is a world-renowned patron of the arts and the proud sponsor of the 24th L’Atelier art competition. It is the oldest single national sponsored art competition in the Southern Hemisphere and remains the most prestigious award on any South African artist’s CV.

This competition serves as a platform for young emerging artists to make their mark in the South African arena. Not only does Absa create a platform to showcase their work through this competition, but we have also been increasingly active in identifying, nurturing, pro-moting and sponsoring these artists through our gallery.

Absa regularly purchases art from exhibitions hosted in the Absa Gallery, as well as from the L’Atelier exhibition. The purpose of buying new art is to develop human potential, sup-port South African arts and culture and also provide our business with a viable investment opportunity. Absa’s art collection is therefore a tangible and visual refl ection of what we’re about as a South African organisation.

We would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to our co-sponsors for their continued support. Without SANAVA, the French Embassy, the French Institute and Alliance Françiase, this initiative would not be possible.

I would also like to congratulate our winners. Make the most of this wonderful opportunity to further your careers. We will be watching with interest as many of you go on to become internationally recognised artists.

To all the entrants, we wish you the very best and hope to see you again next year.

Maria RamosAbsa Group Chief Executive

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National selection panelGwen Miller/Melissa Mboweni Coordinators of National Selection

Andrew Da ConceicaoCape Town

Amos LetsoaloPolokwane

Karel NelJohannesburg

Ingrid StevensPretoria

Air ticket to Paris, France sponsored by Absa

This catalogue has been compiled by Cecile Loedolff, Manager: Art, Absa Group Marketing and Corporate Affairs.

Published by Absa, Member of the Barclays Group.2009 Absa L’Atelier Awards CatalogueISBN 978-0-620-44293-0

The Absa L’Atelier Art Competition is presented annually by Absa in conjunction with SANAVA (South African National Association for the Visual Arts). It is a compe-tition for young artists in the age group 21 to 35 years. Works of art were selected in Bellville, Bloemfontein, Durban, Johannesburg, East London, Port Elizabeth, Polokwane, Pretoria and Thohoyandou by a local panel of selectors guided by Melissa Mboweni and Gwen Miller on behalf of the National President of SANAVA. The selected works of art have been sent to Johannesburg for fi nal adjudication.

The Absa L’Atelier Award

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Retrospectively, the art of any society has been viewed as a signifi cant measure of the diversity of its values. The Absa L’Atelier Award provides a platform for engagement with young artists whose work refl ects the attitudes and concerns throughout contemporary South Africa. In this short introduction, I would like to draw attention to two important aspects of the structure of the L’Atelier Award, namely the process of judging and the post-selec-tion analyses of the artworks.

The judging process has been refi ned over many years. Several panels of adjudicators function at regional and national level to encourage a broad, inclusive vision. They are presented with work that has been selected by annually appointed critics, educators and artists and a judging aesthetic is negotiated. The judges’ intention is to access the possible meanings and aims of the works, while at the same time considering the relationship between the artists’ concepts and technical choices and their craftsmanship. Rounds of systematic selection are built into the judging process to determine professionalism and representation. The judges must substantiate their choices in a fi nal round of rigorous debate. This acceptance of their own accountability demonstrates their commitment and dedication to our cutting-edge young artists, whose work often falls outside the constraints of the market.

Over the years, the Absa L’Atelier Award judges have used a vital gauge; that of relevance to our time and coun-try. Yet, attempts to defi ne the terms ‘contemporary’ and ‘South African’ often raise signifi cant issues around both visual and political aesthetics. In this exhibition, the post-judging process analysis has identifi ed a the-matic disquiet; the realisation of a sombre tone and sense of discomfort inherent in many works. This parallels international trends refl ecting societal anxiety and urban tension and the individual’s sense of insignifi cance or impotence.

The artists’ voices of dissent are consistent yet reveal personal perspectives. Visual language is manipulated to convey the spirit of place with either energy or subtlety. The artists comment critically on many contemporary systems and structures, including bureaucracy and boardroom ethics, ecological irresponsibility and the socio-logical implications of race classifi cation and stereotyping - although a certain irony sometimes emerges when dealing with issues around the role of race and diminishing cultures. There is fear and lament for the prevailing strain of violence, death and poverty, shown by the choice of metaphorical images, such as fi gures from mythol-ogy. The shape-shifting impact of technology on the way we experience life is evident in their formal use of grid structures and some art processes that allow mechanical ‘invasion’ of the artists’ individual styles. These thematic and technical choices show the artists’ complete awareness of a society under strain at multiple levels.

It is essential to emphasise the strength of the works on exhibition: they are not mere illustrations of these con-cepts, but instead, as open-ended evocations of subliminal tension, have become barometers of conscience.

Gwen MillerCoordinator

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The South African National Association for the Visual Arts (SANAVA) pays tribute to Absa for its consistent support over the past twenty-four years of organising the annual Absa L ’Atelier Competition. The event, hosted in collaboration with SANAVA, has become a major item on the agenda of young visual artists who are serious about developing their skills and in pursuing their interest or a career in the fi eld of the visual arts. We thank Absa’s management and staff dedicated to the promotion of the visual arts and recognise their very important role in furthering the spiritual wealth of the South African nation.

Congratulations to those artists who distinguished themselves by having been selected as most meritorious! To those individuals who were not successful this time, thank you for your participation. Please persevere, for eventually your efforts are bound to be richly rewarded. Many thanks to the judges, local panels and staff at the various collection points who sacrifi ced time in assisting with the adjudication process! Let’s continue to support Absa by echoing its slogan ‘today, tomorrow, together, also in the visual arts!’

Many thanks

Anton LoubserSANAVA National President

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Gerard Sekoto (1913 – 1993)Sekoto was born at Botshabelo near Middelburg in the former Transvaal on 9 December 1913. His early paintings depicted scenes from Sophiatown, District Six and Eastwood near Pretoria.

He left South Africa in 1947 for Europe and settled in Paris in volun-tary exile where he lived until his death in 1993. As an African Parisian he always yearned for his South African roots and identity, which he depicted with much nostalgia in many of his works.

In Paris and with the support of the loving French public, doors eventually opened for Sekoto to explore his own creativity. With this award we honour Gerard Sekoto. The French Embassy, the French Institute and the Alliance Française, felt it appropriate to create such an award to support the most promising artist with an income of less than R60 000 per annum. This award will hopefully open yet another door for a young South African artist in the city of love and art, namely Paris.

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Rosin, Stephen John WinnerBellvilleThe devil makes his Christmas pie from politicians’ tongues and bankers’ fi ngers (2008)Mixed media58cm x 80cm

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Eksteen, Frederik Jacobus (Frikkie)Pretoria

The ambassadorsMixed media

200cm x 199,5cm

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JohannesburgWailing wallMixed media(Diptych)a) 104,5cm x 64,5cmb) 104,5cm x 64,5cm

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Lotz, Hannah-Ada Pretoria

No matter if you black or pitch black:I’m free to be black as I am

I am super blackPhotography

(Diptych)a) 108,5cm x 76cmb) 108,5cm x 76cm

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DurbanThe scapegoatMixed media53cm x 31cm x 24cm

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ancapegoatd mediax 31cm x 24cm

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East LondonTribute to Noria Mabasa

Linocut103cm x 134cm

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Bahmann, DirkJohannesburgLife trace 10 JohannesburgMixed media61,5cm x 83cm61,5cm x 83cm

Profile: Bahmann was born in 1974. He obtained a BAS degree at the University of the Witwatersrand as well as a BArch at the University of the Witwatersrand. He has participated in several exhibitions and received several awards. He participated in the 2006 L’Atelier Exhibition.

Description of artwork:Life trace 10 Johannesburg is an ongoing orbit of work that examines an inner experience of the urban landscape of Johannesburg. It plays with the duality of the inner and outer worlds, between the self and the collective and the particular and the universal.

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Bakker, MaaikePretoria

Air suburb #219Multimedia installation

27 sec

Profile:Bakker was born in 1986 and is currently studying BA(VA) at Unisa.

Description of artwork:This artwork investigates the old Roman law principle ‘cuius est solum, eius est usque ad caelum et ad inferos’, which when roughly translated states, ‘To those who belong to the earth... (shall belong to the

sky up to the heavens)’, and it applies to our postmodern context.

Air suburb #219 consists of numerous layers of suspended laser cut cardboard grid struc-tures or air boxes, serving as a future air blueprint, which designates the areas in the sky that have been modifi ed into architec-tural airspace.

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Bezuidenhout, VincentBellvilleTower block diptychPhotography115,5cm x 184cm

Profile:Bezuidenhout was born in 1978. He studied for the National Diploma in Photography as well as for the BTech degree in Photography at the Central Univer-sity of Technology, Free State, Bloemfontein.

Description of artwork:The photograph entitled Tower block diptych relates to the concept of heterotopia elaborated on by

philosopher Michael Foucault to describe places and spaces that function in non-hegemonic conditions. These are spaces of otherness, which are neither here nor there, that are simultaneously physical and mental such as the space of a phone call or the moment when you see yourself in the mirror. The term heterotopia describes spaces that have layers of meaning or relationships to other places than immediately meets the eye.

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Profile: Botes was born in Bellville in 1975. He studied BA(FA) Applied Graphics at the University of Stellenbosch. He has participated in several exhibi-tions, including the Absa L’Atelier Exhibition in 2007.

Description of artwork:This installation focuses on the hu-man being as parasite by raising questions regarding how much we consume. At first glance the viewer is presented by a rigid portrait made of smaller pieces – the self depicted as robotic. Each individual piece carries a fact about the consumption and waste production of a single human being over their average lifetime of 77 years and 9 months. The installation delivers information through nu-merical figures and raises questions or evokes response from the viewer regarding their lifestyle and how mechanised and unthinking we have become in our consumption.

Botes, Sybrandt LourensBellvilleParasite

Mixed media200cm x 200cm

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Profile:Bull was born in 1974 and studied BA(FA) as well as MA(FA), which she obtained with distinction from the University of Cape Town. She is currently a lecturer in the Visual Art Department of the University of Stellenbosch. She has participated in several exhibitions, including the Absa Atelier ex-hibitions in 2000 and 2001 as well as in the Absa L’Atelier Exhibition in 2005. She was selected as a Merit Award Winner in 2005.

Description of artwork:Data capture: a muse consists of a series of live portrait drawing performances playing on the tradition of life drawing and the artist’s search for a muse.

Bull, Katherine GayBellvilleData capture: a museMixed media2 min

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Profile:Campbell was born in 1982 and studied for the National Diploma in Fine Arts at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth. He is currently studying for his BTech(FA) degree at the same university.

Description of artwork:Ancient Celtic custom required that the sin of the recently deceased be re-moved so that the soul would be free to transcend, unhindered, into the heav-enly realm. For this to happen, the aid of a Sin-eater was required. By means of specifi c ritual the Sin-eater would consume the transgressions of the dead.Tom Peep raises the question: have we become our own sin-eaters through the relaxing ritual of mass media? With every fl oppy newspaper, every horrid daily seven o’clock summation, fi lms and literature reminding us of the acidic corners of the mind, we consume our collective dark underbelly. Are we a fl y-on-the-wall-culture mistaking disaster for entertainment, always watching but never helping, always judging but never loving? Have we come to expect the worst of those around us and instead of reconciling, have built higher walls? Are we the products of cultural decay, of a failing ritual incomplete?

Campbell, Peter MikaelPort Elizabeth

Tom Peep Mixed media

200cm x 200cm

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Port ElizabethOld sins cast long shadows (from: The dark mirror series)Mixed media72cm x 57cm

Campbell, Peter Mikael

Description of artwork:Cement is the physical backbone of urbanisation, while exerting great pressure on the environment through the process of its manufacture. It is cold, hard and has immense strength but is rigid, refl ective of the cold logic of The Age of Reason. Like the cement, the frame also has a heritage that is indicative of Western civilisation, expressing hierarchy, wealth and classicism and the valorisation of that, which lies within its frontiers. The use of gold leaf may express to a certain extent the health of our times, the fl aking veneer of the pinnacle of civilisation.

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Profile:Chauke was born in 1979 and completed grade 10 at the Malenga High School.

Description of artwork:It is election time and all the leaders are talking. Here the artist depicts Jacob Zuma, Mr Lekota as well as two former Presidents namely Mr Mandela and Mr De Klerk.

Polokwane The elections manifesto

Wood and paint18cm x 62cm x 31cm

Chauke, Phula Richard

Profile:Profile:Profile

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East LondonAn unstable identityMixed media installation186cm x 200cm x 200cm

Chorn, Genevieve Sarah

Profile:Chorn was born in 1987 and is currently studying BA(FA) at Rhodes University, Grahamstown.

Description of artwork:This artwork consists of two sculptures; a chair and a hat stand, which have human feet, reminiscent of the ball and claw furniture of the 1940s and 1950s.

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Profile:Coetzee was born in 1983 and studied for the National Diploma in Photogra-phy at the Nelson Mandela Metropoli-tan University, Port Elizabeth.

Port ElizabethEmpty Space 2

Photography60,5cm x 84,5cm

Coetzee, Gerhardt

Description of artworks:It was the profound emptiness of the spaces shown in these photographs that first attracted Coetzee. While the atmosphere in most of them can be de-scribed as unsettling, there is a sense of familiarity in these voids where life used to be lived so abundantly. In the ruins of Central Port Elizabeth, the contrast to

the madness of being and how human society destroys and sucks the life out of what was once beautiful, seemed to jump at the artist. The absent human figure, suggested by evidence left be-hind, shadowed him from site to site. To him the spaces became spaces of possi-bility where he could delve into his own experiences, imagination and memories.

Port ElizabethEmpty Space 1Photography60,5cm x 84,5cm

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JohannesburgHauntingOil on board(Twenty-four-part)33cm x 24cm each

Couldridge, Fiona Sharon Kemsley

Profile:Couldridge was born in 1975. She studied BA(FA) as well as MA(FA) at the University of the Witwa-tersrand. She has participated in several exhibitions, including the Absa Atelier Exhibitions in 2000 and 2001 as well as in the Absa L’Atelier Exhibitions in 2004 and 2005.

Description of artwork:Couldridge’s artworks exist between life and death; they are apparitions – fi gures which may at any point awaken. The main themes concern psychological identity of ideas and of often sinister, childhood play.The starkness of the black and white colouring suggest medical x-rays, print media, photographic negatives as well as various binary oppositions: dark and light, negative and positive, death and life, absence and presence. Pressing the dolls on cotton sheets create imprints, suggestive of both presence and absence.

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DurbanKids for year 2000Acrylic on canvas45,5cm x 60,5cm

Danca, Welcome S’phiwe

Profile:Danca was born in 1978 and obtained a National Diploma in Graphic Design at the Durban Institute of Technology. He has participated in several exhibitions, includ-ing the Absa L’Atelier Exhibition in 2008.

Description of artwork: The children who were born after 1994 are spoilt because they received cell phones and certain rights. If you as a parent reprimand them they argue with you and threaten that they will call Childline.

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PretoriaXenomorphic dispositionBronze32,5cm x 34,5cm x 14,5cm

Profile: Delport was born in 1978. He studied for the National Diploma in Fine Arts at the Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria. He has participated in several exhibitions, including the Absa L’Atelier Exhibition in 2002.

Description of artwork:This piece is about human relations and interaction, different mindsets and deliberations. It is about how individu-als can have complete diverse ideas and emotional reactions. On the one side you have soft, rounded shapes that seem nimble and benevolent. On the opposing side there is the sharp angu-lar shape that seems almost aggres-sive, awkward and unyielding but also defensive. The shape of the heads along with the body language makes con-frontation between the circle and the square, the liberal and the conservative, clear. It is basically action and reaction.

Delport, Steven

ng the Absa LAtelier

f artwork:human relations

fferent mindsets and about how individu-ete diverse ideas

ctions. On the one rounded shapes that

benevolent. On the e is the sharp angu-

ms almost aggres-unyielding but also

pe of the heads along guage makes con-n the circle and the and the conservative,action and reaction.

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BloemfonteinTax - C

Mixed media 98cm x 149,5cm x 64,5cm

De Waal, HelenaProfile:De Waal was born in 1979 and obtained the National Diploma in Fine Arts at the Technikon Free State, Bloemfontein in 2003. She obtained a postgraduate certif-icate in Education in 2008 at the Central University of Technology, Bloemfontein.

Description of artwork:This artwork portrays four issues that all citizens are confronted with, namely water, electricity, food and money. A lamp, meat grinder, a tap and money slot are all reminders of these issues. The rear mirrors are there to remind you of things that can happen. The amount of money you put into the slot determines how far the Tax-C can go.

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izens are confronted with, namely r, electricity, food and money. A lamp, grinder, a tap and money slot are

minders of these issues. The rear rs are there to remind you of things an happen. The amount of money ut into the slot determines how far

ax-C can go.C

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Du Preez, SuzanneJohannesburgSeries #4: Parktown IMixed media200cm x 107cm

Profile:Du Preez was born in Worcester in 1975 and studied BA(FA) at the Michaelis School of Fine Art, University of Cape Town. She also studied for the MTech degree in Fine Arts at the University of Johannesburg. She has participated in several exhibitions, including the Absa Atelier Exhibition in 2001.

Description of artwork:This work is a representation of a section of a wall from the Johannesburg suburb, Parktown. The artwork is an interpreta-tion of the walls outside our houses that we erect as protection against violation. Recreated here from soft materials, such as foam in which the wall loses its function to protect and becomes an exploration of the artist’s positioning and interpretation of her lived context, Johannesburg. This is achieved through the use of and manipu-lation of diverse materials, techniques and references related to the artist herself in an attempt to explore her own identity.

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Description of artwork:This representation of a suburban boundary wall in Parktown West, Johannesburg, was created by using needlepoint techniques to outline the boundary wall, juxtaposed against an idyllic/utopian landscape. This juxta-positioning forms a grafting of time and space i.e. here and there, present and past, reality and imagination.

Du Preez, SuzanneJohannesburg

Series #3: Parktown West I Mixed media 200cm x 84,5cm

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Description of artwork:This artwork forms part of a series, which was done while Du Preez attended a residency in Switzerland. This site - specifi c installation investigates social, cultural and per-sonal boundaries in a European context as apposed to her living context, Johannesburg, South Africa. She focused on boundary walls as it is so distinct in Johannesburg.

Du Preez, SuzanneJohannesburgBoundaries I, Sierre, SwitzerlandDigital print82,5cm x 101,5cm

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Profile:Duncan was born in 1981 and studied BA(FA) at the Michaelis School of Fine Art, University of Cape Town. She has participated in the Absa L’Atelier Exhibition in 2008 where she was chosen as one of the top ten fi nalists.

Description of artwork:Illness prevented her mother from having long, thick hair for most of her adult life. Only now in menopause with the help of hormone replacement therapy her hair is thick and long. Through this work she attempts to question constructs concerning female beauty. She used her mother’s hair to create an object referencing a fan that she gave her. The work is also intended as a portrait of her mother.

Duncan, Suzanne Elizabeth Beavan Bellville Fan: For hot fl ushes

Human hair62cm x 86cm

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Profile:East was born in 1980 and is currently studying BA(FA) at the Michaelis School of Fine Art, University of Cape Town.

Description of artwork:This work deals with themes of com-plimentary form, structure replication, disease, duality containment, loss, play, material antagonisms, strength and vulnerability.

East, Anthony DavidBellvillePlaceto (Still life; four years and three months)Mixed media200cm x 200cm

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Eksteen, Frederik Jacobus (Frikkie)Pretoria

The ambassadorsMixed media

200cm x 199,5cm

Profi le:Eksteen was born in 1973 and studied BA(FA) as well as MA(FA) at the University of Pretoria. He has participated in several exhibitions, including the Absa Atelier Exhibition in 2001 where he was selected as one of the top ten fi nalists. He also participated in the Absa L’ Atelier Exhibi-tion in 2003.

Description of artwork:The ambassadors (2009) is part of an ongoing project based on the University of Pretoria’s portrait collection of former principals. This painting forms part of a body of work, which questions this series’ status as both timeline and a knowledge archive. If each personage in the original sequence is intended as a marker in an ongoing narrative, can it stand up to what it claims to represent? What exactly does it signify and how? What happened in the spaces between these portraits? Are these gaps completely faceless? Can a few painted faces be a valid record of the complex events and decisions that shape nearly a century’s worth of history?

The artwork was also inspired by and takes its title from Hans Holbein’s paint-ing The ambassadors from 1533. As in Holbein’s image, he used anamorphic perspective to create eleven unexpected viewpoints. The painting demands of the viewer to take part in an unconventional viewing contract, where things only come into perspective by adopting several unfamiliar vantage points.

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Erasmus, Marthinus Stephanus (Stephan)JohannesburgUntitled 104Mixed media21cm x 20,8cm x 1,7cm

Profile:Erasmus was born in 1976. He studied for the National Diploma in Fine Arts at the Witwatersrand Technikon as well as for the BTech (FA) degree at the Witwa-tersrand Technikon. He also completed a Masters degree in Fine Arts at the University of the Witwatersrand. He has participated in several exhibitions, includ-ing the Absa Atelier Exhibition in 2000 as well as the Absa L’Atelier Exhibitions in 2004, 2006 and 2008. He was selected as one of the top ten fi nalists in 2008.

Description of artwork:In this particular book the artist sampled texts from fi ve selected love song lyrics and then randomly placed these letters on each section of the book. These letters were connected with ‘paths’ between the letters to spell out the selected text. The text was then encrypted by placing mis-leading pathways between the letters.The use of the book format aims to gener-ate a more tactile involvement with the artwork by the reader, not only through the physical handling of the artwork as one would with a normal book, but also through the decryption/discovery of the selected texts and the rezones for the artist’s selection of these texts.

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Erasmus, Marthinus Stephanus (Stephan)Johannesburg

Wailing wall Mixed media (Diptych) a) 104,5cm x 64,5cm

b) 104,5cm x 64,5cm

Description of artwork:The work entitled Wailing wall calls on a historically important architectural construction known as the Western Wall, an impor-tant religious site of all three the Abriamic faiths, Christianity, Judaism and Islam. The wall is historically known to be the last remaining construction of the

Second Temple in Jerusalem, an important place for prayer and in Islam the wall has a strong as-sociation with the Isra and Mi’raj story. Some sources identify the Western Wall as the place where Muhammad tethered his winged steed, Buraq.

However, this artwork focuses on the tradition of placing pieces

of paper containing Talismans and prayers into the cracks of the Wall. By using this tradition to re-construct a place where wishes, hopes and dreams are contained in selected lyrics from love songs, these pieces of paper are used to construct a wall where the maker can give in to the longing and sorrow that establish this memo-rial place of remembrance.

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Evans, Judith MarianJohannesburgThere is always a pointMixed media55,5cm x 68cm

Profi le:Evans was born in 1986 and is currently studying BA(FA) at the University of the Witwatersrand.

Description of artwork:In 1917 Marcel Duchamp rotated a porcelain urinal by 90 degrees, signed it and placed it in a gallery – almost instantly transforming the manner in which the world conceived of what art truly is. Almost a

century later this ground-breaking work continues to stand as a beacon in conceptual art making.

Along a similar line the object which she has chosen to frame is an ordinary clutch pencil, which has been mass produced. What makes it unique, however, is the fact that the artist Jeremy Wafer coincidently chose to sign another artist’s submission to the competition.

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Ferreira, Rikus Bellville

Varkkop formasieMixed media

45cm x 128cm x 69,5cm

Profi le:Ferreira was born in 1976 and studied BA(FA) as well as MA(FA) at the University of Stellenbosch. He has participated in several exhibitions, including the Volkskas Bank Atelier Exhibition in 1999 and the Absa L’Atelier Exhibitions in 2003, 2004 and 2007. He was selected as a top ten fi nalist in 2003 and 2007.

Description of artwork:Pigs are likened to the human race on various levels and are often used to com-ment on the human condition. Winston

Churchill once said: “Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us like equals.” They are a frequent source of reference in many aspects of culture at large, with many idiomatic uses of the word pig. Origami pigs, folded by using pages from an old book on British impe-rialism and Queen Victoria, were placed inside a coffee table and specifi cally in this case, one in the ball and claw design. This type of coffee table is a well-known item in the Afrikaans family and a very familiar furniture piece in most western households in South Africa.

The folded origami pigs were placed in an ox head formation. This well-known and successful military strategy was used by Shaka Zulu and his Impis, where faster-run-ning fi ghters (the horns) would encircle the enemy, while soldiers with short spears (the head) would face the enemy head on.

This work tries to deal with the idea of greed and power in a South African context. It tries to focus the attention on the irony of imperialism and therefore also the thirst for power/control over people and the ef-fect on the different groups involved.

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Fossey, NatalieDurbanWe are addressing the problemSilkscreen57,5cm x 67cm

Profile: Fossey was born in 1985 and studied BA(FA) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She is currently reading for an MA(FA) at the same university.

Description of artwork:This work was the first of a series of prints working in and around notions of feminin-ity, sex, beauty and representation thereof. The artist worked from her own photo-graphs to develop a piece that functions as an open-ended question. The image is made up of only one subject.

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Fossey, NatalieDurban

We will return to popular viewing shortlyLinocut

38cm x 32cm

Description of artwork:The artist uses her own photographs and the linocut was the last in the series in which she worked with representations of femininity, beauty and sex. She fi nds the voyeuristic very interesting. By using a fi gure where it is not clear whether she is aware that she is being viewed, gave the artist an opportunity to consider her voyeuristic intentions as an artist work-ing with the partially nude female form.

38cm x 32cm

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Fuller, St John James Zair PretoriaWabenzaPinhole photography105cm x 153cm

Profi le: Fuller was born in 1974 and studied BA(FA). He has participated in several exhibitions, including the Absa L’Atelier Exhibitions in 2007 and 2008.

Description of artwork:Wabenza is a photograph of a Mercedes Benz taken with a multi aperture camera. The car is an icon of a dream. A symbol of status and goals achieved. A sure sign

that you have managed to place yourself comfortably within society and well beyond the reaches of poverty. While the image clearly reveals recognisable features of a car, these do not form a whole. Instead, much as we repeat to ourselves those parts of a dream that we do remember in order to try and recall the whole, the fragments are represented over and over again without ever completing the car.

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Gillougley, Cara ValBellville

From withdrawal and emergenceMixed media

(Triptych)a) 47,5cm x 36,5cmb) 47,5cm x 36,5cmc) 47,5cm x 36,5cm

Profile: Gillougley was born in 1983 and studied for a Diploma in Photography at the Ruth Prowse School of Art in Cape Town.

Description of artwork:The surreal photographic body of work deals with themes of underlying emotional and psychological torment and obsession. The images are both metaphor and catharsis. The images are derived from studio shoots and substan-tive digital post production. The scale is intimate to force a degree of voyeurism from the viewer.

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Greyvenstein, Lisa PretoriaPretty in pinkMixed media(Triptych)a) 23,5cm x 44,5cm x 45cmb) 23,5cm x 44,5cm x 45cmc) 23,5cm x 44,5cm x 45cm

Profile:Greyvenstein was born in 1983 and is cur-rently studying BA(FA) at the University of Pretoria.

Description of artwork:Pretty pink is a comment on gender rela-tions and cultural expectations on men and women. The softness of the fabric juxta-poses the sharp dangerous qualities of the gloss alluding to hidden friction and ten-sion between genders. Dominant discourse dooms women to artifi ce causing inequali-ties and confl icts.

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Description of artwork:This series of digital photographs are so overtly constructed that one begins to question what is real and what is merely illusion, alluding to the ideological con-structs in our everyday society by which we live our lives.

Greyvenstein, LisaPretoria

Corrupted illusion IDigital print

37,5cm x 186,5cm

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Grobler, LizaBellvilleA work of art (also) has a life of its own (self-portrait)Mixed media124cm x 73cm x 92cm

Profile:Grobler was born in 1974. She studied BA(FA) as well as MA(FA), which she ob-tained with distinction from the Univer-sity of Stellenbosch. She has participated in several exhibitions, including the Absa L’Atelier Exhibitions in 2005, 2006 and 2008.

Description of artwork:This work is constructed out of various objects representing a self-portrait of the artist in a pregnant state.

b-er-ted

bsa

sthe

45

Gurney, Kim JanetteJohannesburg

A bee, dreamingMixed media

50,5cm x 144cm x 12cm

Profi le:Gurney was born in 1974 and studied BA(FA) at the Michaelis School of Fine Art, University of Cape Town.

Description of artwork:This work engages with climate change – specifi -cally the habitat loss for bees as a result of human

development, which play a vital pollinator role in food production. The square format of each window and composite panels represents the mosaic vision of bees. The fl oral spectres are, however, stitched in red – a colour that bees cannot perceive. The contorted honeycomb panel, lit from behind with simulated daylight, represents disrupted natural order.

46

Gutter, Pauline GertruidaBloemfonteinMemorial of memoriesOil on wood170cm x 122cm

Profile:Gutter was born in 1980 and studied BA(FA) at the University of the Free State, Bloemfontein. She has participated in several exhibitions, including the Absa L’Atelier Exhibitions in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. Description of artwork:This work depicts Alfred George Jenkinson.

47

Hlatshwayo, Similo WisemanJohannesburg

Night cityscape 1, 2 and 3Mixed media

(Triptych)a) 50cm x 50cmb) 29cm x 70cm

c) 28,5cm x 70,5cm

Profile:Hlatshwayo was born in 1984 and ob-tained a Diploma in Visual Arts. Description of artwork:With these works the artist tried to move away from depicting nightscapes in the traditional manner by drawing from circuit board images and electronic devices such as music studio recording equipment. He also minimalised the actual buildings that are only suggested by lighting. He attempted to create a cityscape that leaves the viewer to be drawn into the fast-paced lighting visions of the city.

2,5

a) b)b)b)

c) 28,

48

Hlungwani, Staurose Phillemon JohannesburgKuhavankariwaku wisa IMixed media115,5cm x 147,5cm

Profile:Hlungwani was born in Giyani in 1975. He studied Fine Arts at the Johannesburg Art Foundation. He also completed a Teach-ers Training Course at the Wits School of Art and then he studied Printmaking at the Artist Proof Studio in Johannesburg.

49

JohannesburgKuhavankariwaku wisa II

Mixed media115,5cm x 147,5cm

Hlungwani, Staurose Phillemon

Description of artworks:There is no time to rest after retirement. Although these men still need to work as subsistence farmers they enjoy their new lifestyle.

50

Hugo, Helena PretoriaEnd of my shift, end of my shift, end of my shiftPastel on board59cm x 127,5cm

Profi le:Hugo was born in 1975 and studied BA(FA) at the University of Pretoria. She has participated in several exhibitions, including the Absa L’Atelier Exhibition in 2006.

Description of artwork:In this drawing of three mineworkers, Hugo explores the different identities of South African labourers. She aims to break with

the traditional idea of portrait painting mostly being reserved for the wealthy. In treating the portraits of people who are often being overlooked or taken for granted (but who play a vital role in society and economy), with equal virtuous formality and exhibiting them in a gallery, she aims to present them to the viewer as individuals with reconsidered signifi cance, status and importance.

51

Joubert, LadinéPretoria

Ars Mariendi collection: Decadence of death

Mixed media170cm x 40cm x 40cm

Profile:Joubert was born in 1986 and studied BA(FA).

Description of artwork:The focus in this work is the dialectic between aesthetic and anti-aesthetic as symbolic of most binaries such as self/other, young/old and life/death. She thought of beauty (life) as constructive but at the same time destructive within western society. On the other hand she fi nds death as destructive but also constructive as in nature’s continuous rebirth. The work was created to attract and repulse simultaneously.

52

Joubert, TarienPretoriaTadaridaMixed media32cm x 160cm x 160cm

Profile:Joubert was born in 1986 and studied BA(FA) at the University of Pretoria.

53

Joubert, TarienPretoria

Microtus longicaudusMixed media

91cm x 136cm x 70cm

Description of artworks:We live in a world where cloning and ge-netic engineering form part of biotechno-logical manipulation. This manipulation is visually manifested in these creatures that instil a sense of compassion in the viewer. Beauty can be found in utter banality.

54

Keevy, AmyPort ElizabethBleed her whiteMixed media (Five-part)35cm x 43,5cm x 13cm each

Profile:Keevy was born in 1987 and studied for the National Diploma in Fine Arts at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth.

Description of artwork:Keevy explores the concepts of the fe-male body and identity, as well as issues relating to the female gender. The word ‘white’ in the title is used symbolically to represent an innocence and virtue, which in some societies can be forced unrealisti-cally upon women.

The series consist of fi ve different images of a female body. The wounds resemble lesions on skin and represent the body being de-sexualised. These ‘wounds’ are being infl icted, but one can also see them

as wounds ‘oozing’ from the skin. There is a tension between the inner and outer body. From one point we see the wounds being infl icted and from a different point it is the body itself, which leaks and bleeds. In an attempt to repress female sexuality, the opposite is occurring – it is now prominent and unconcealed.

55

Kraft, GinaJohannesburg

God bless youVideo

1 min 12 sec

Profile:Kraft was born in 1977 and studied BA(FA) at the University of the Witwatersrand.

Description of artwork:This piece came about as a response to George W Bush’s somewhat unintelligent speeches regarding the reasons for the war with Iraq. It issues a challenge to the thoughtless followers not only of a leader going down a dangerous path, but of the school of thought that encour-ages the mindless disregard for the use of ‘God’s’ name in making decisions. This in a country that is largely Christian and cannot (or will not) argue with the decla-ration that said decisions are the will of God. It references the over-hyped boxing matches in the USA, where scantily clad girls walk around the ring announcing the next round with a big signboard.

56

Lila, PhiliswaPretoriaUntitledMixed media115cm x 88cm

Profile:Lila was born in 1988.

Description of artwork:The artist is concerned with the appear-ance of a person’s skin and she focuses mainly on old people. It is believed that when you grow older you lose your beauty but for her it is not the case. Beauty can be imperfect. Each line/wrin-kle on a person’s face tells a story of how you lived your life.

57

Description of artwork:The artist gives recognition to one of South Africa’s living pioneer artists namely Noria Mabasa. The work is based on one of her earlier works.

Profile:Lindi was born in 1973 and studied BA(FA) at Rhodes University, Grahamstown, which he did not complete. He has par-ticipated in several exhibitions, including the Absa L’Atelier Exhibition in 2007.

Lindi, NyanisoEast London

Tribute to Noria MabasaLinocut

103cm x 134cm

58

Profile:Liversage was born in 1973. She studied for the National Higher Diploma in Fine Arts at the Orange Free State, Bloem-fontein. She also studied for the BTech (FA) degree at the Technikon Free State, Bloemfontein. She has participated in several exhibitions, including the Volkskas Atelier Exhibitions in 1995 and 1996. She also participated in the Absa L’Atelier Exhibitions in 2005 and 2008.

Description of artwork:This work is inspired by an illustration done in August 1910 by black heavy-weight boxing champion, Jack Johnson. It depicts the highs and lows of John-son’s fight against white man James Jefferies. The black and white ribbon in this composition conveys a message of protest against crime and abuse, which are a constant threat to our society.

These epidemics affect the youth and woman primarily in South Africa. Her subject matter visually portrays the connotation linked to ribbons. The repetitive element of the ribbon rep-resents the manner in which we wear it as well as the generation of aware-ness it creates. An awareness ribbon is understood and worn by anyone.

Liversage, Kilmany-Jo (Née Hunt)BellvilleThe fi ght in black and whiteMixed media(Twelve-part)29,5cm x 29,5cm each

59

Lotz, Hannah-Ada (Paton)Pretoria

No matter if you black or pitch black: I’m free to be black as I am

I am super blackPhotography

(Diptych)a) 108,5cm x 76cmb) 108,5cm x 76cm

Description of artwork:Throughout her day the artist ob-serves and venerates all the beauti-ful coatings of people around her. She is fascinated by the visual feast of different tonalities of skin colour. Her lens has zoomed spontaneous-ly into the fi ner details and shades of people with pitch-black skin, an avenue unexplored.

In these avenues she noticed an astonishing amount of ice cream being eaten. This ‘sweet tip’ went straight into studio and has become a most enjoyable way to create portraits. The shoot lasts as long as the ice cream lasts. True happiness is captured - ice cream on skin.

Profile:Lotz was born in 1974 and studied BA(BPK) Business Communication at the University of Potchefstroom. She also obtained a Diploma in Commercial Photography at the National College of Photography. She has participated in several exhibitions, including the Absa L’ Atelier Exhibition in 2005, where she was selected as one of the top ten finalists. She also participated in the Absa L’ Atelier Exhibition in 2007.

60

Lüneburg, NathaniPretoriaDreaming of homeVideo/DVD2 min 30 sec

Profi le:Lüneburg was born in 1982 and studied BA(FA) at the University of Pretoria. She also studied MA(FA) at the University of Pretoria. She has participated in several exhibi-tions, including the Absa L’Atelier Exhibition in 2004 where she was selected as one of the top ten fi nalists. She also participated in the Absa L’Atelier Exhibitions in 2005 and 2006. She was selected

as a Merit Award Winner in 2006. She also participated in the Absa L’Atelier Exhibition in 2007.

Description of artwork:This work is based on dreams the artist experienced during her three-month stay in Melbourne (October 2008 – December 2008). Being away from her familiar surround-ings, the artist often found herself lost in her own bizarre dreams.

These dreams consisted of strange ever-changing images, referring to her greatest fears and fantasies of her past and present life. Intrigued by how the brain can capture im-ages and produce them during a state of sleep – a state where she does not have control over what she sees or feels, she decided to create a mind-map of her dreams, docu-menting them based on what she could remember.

61

Mailula, Sepolwana JonasPolokwaneThe calling

Acrylic on board48 cm x 98 cm

Profile:Mailula was born in 1981 and studied for the N6 National Certificate in Art and Design at the Northern Province Commu-nity College. He has participated in several exhibitions, including the Absa L’Atelier Exhibition in 2008.

Description of artwork:Back in the olden days our parents used to call the people for a meeting with the kudu horns. Today we use the vuvuzelas to support our teams. Through this paint-ing the artist wants to call the people to come to our country to support the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

62

Makoatsa, Teboho JusticeJohannesurgJo’burg my Jo’burgOil on canvas50,5cm x 101,5cm

Profile:Makoatsa was born in 1984 and is a self-taught artist.

Description of artwork:Here the artist depicts Johannesburg with the Marble Tower, the city of dreams.

63

Makoatsa, Teboho JusticeJohannesurg

2010 Battleground Oil on canvas

50,5cm x 102cm

Description of artwork:In this painting the artist depicts Coca Cola Park in celebration of South Africa hosting Africa’s fi rst 2010 FIFA World Cup.

64

Makoatsa, Teboho JusticeJohannesurgKeep working …JoziOil on canvas50,5cm x 101,5cm

Description of artwork:This work depicts the expansion of the Johannesburg cityscape.

65

Maxiniva, WongalethuEast London

Black diamonds Oil on canvas

87,5cm x 63cm

Profile:Maxiniva was born in 1983 and obtained a National Diploma in Fine Arts at the Walter Sisulu University.

Description of artwork:In this work the artist portrays a couple at a social gathering.

66

Mbedzi, RudzaniThohoyandouMusangwe (Traditional boxing)Wood28cm x 35cm x 27cm

Profile:Mbedzi was born in 1980.

Description of artwork:In this wooden sculpture the artist depicts the traditional art of boxing.

28cm x 35cm x 27cm35 7

67

Mbedzi, RudzaniThohoyandou

Mine boy Wood

32cm x 14cm x 19,5cm

Description of artwork:In this wooden sculpture, Mbedzi portrays a mineworker.

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,,Tho

32cm x 14cm

68

McLachlan, Alastair JamesJohannesburgWhile you walk back and forthMixed media98cm x 123cm x 10cm

Profile:McLachlan was born in 1974 and obtained a BA degree from the University of Natal, majoring in Art and Drama. He has participated in several exhibi-tions, including the Absa Atelier Exhibition in 2001, the Absa L’Atelier Exhibitions in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. He also received an Absa L’Atelier Merit Award in 2002.

Description of artwork:‘First there is a drive-in. Then there is no drive-in. Then there is’. This holographic illusion or suspension of time is a poetic summary of the stages of enlight-enment; before, during and after. McLachlan uses this illusionary method as a metaphor for the proc-ess of change... a proud monument and a tombstone. A birth, death and resurrection rolled into one… essentially an endeavour to save this moment, while time and meaning move inexorably onward.

P fil D i ti f t

69

Meistre, Brent ArthurEast London

The stranger who licked salt back into our eyes

DVD installation 5 min

Description of artwork:The stranger who licked salt back into ours eyes loosely narrates the history of the arrival of a stranger in a land where he has come to fi nd himself and his love.

The stranger from foreign lands brings with him knowledge, which is on one level enlightening but also burdening, a dis-ability. With him he carries all his tools and crafts, the prosthesis he needs to survive and to carry on his melancholic search.

Bound to the earth through his disability, he cannot escape his serpentine exist-

ence. He burrows through the landscape archaeologically, unearthing historical evi-dence with hints of apocalyptic revelations of what has brought about his fate.

The soundtrack is a traditional Swahili love song Malaika (Angel/love), as sung on the east coast of Africa. The song has long been described as an unoffi cial Pan African anthem. It has been adapted and reworked as sung by Harry Belafonte and Miriam Makeba. The song is sung from the perspective of a young lover who marries due to fi nancial woes.

Profi le:Meistre was born in 1975 and studied for the BA(FA) at Rhodes University, Graham-stown. He also studied for the MA(FA) degree at the same university, which he received with distinction. He obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Educa-tion with distinction at Rhodes Univer-sity, Grahamstown. He has participated in several exhibitions, including the Absa Atelier Exhibition in 2001 where he was chosen as Merit Award Winner. He also participated in the Absa L’Atelier Exhibi-tion in 2005.

70

Milovanovic, MasaPretoriaAffective, screaming headless torso and hybridMixed media installation200cm x 200cm x 200cm

Profile:Milovanovic was born in 1985 and studied BA(FA) at the University of Pretoria.

Description of artwork:In a sense we have all become cyborgs, hybrid organisms that fuse human, machine and animal into a new embodi-ment or disembodiment. Contemporary society’s way of life is being altered through our extensive use of technolo-gies, giving birth to new forms of pos-sibilities for the human body, lifestyle and consciousness.

71

Minné, Linkha Port Elizabeth Oval vanity set Mixed media (Triptych) 37cm x 28cm x 13,5 each

Profile:Minné was born in 1986 and studied for the National Diploma in Fine Arts at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth. She also obtained the BTech(FA) degree at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth.

Description of artwork:The work consists of three plaster ‘vanity’ cases each with a glass dome lid. Inside each case are wax palms and the attach-able fi ngers. The cushions on which these rest are sanitary pads, tampons and face cotton pads.

Beautifi cation and/or meeting society’s standards in some cases de-feminises women, which are represented by the unused female hygienic products.unused female hygienic products.

72

Mlangeni, Sabelo Wonderboy JohannesburgSafe, free, bloodPhotographic print139cm x 97cm

Profile:Mlangeni was born in 1980 and studied a photography course at the Market Photo Workshop, Johannesburg.

73

Mlangeni, Sabelo WonderboyJohannesburg

Safe abortionPhotographic print

139cm x 97cm

Description of artworks:After an incident where a baby was discovered in a dustbin, the artist began to notice how many fl yers were pasted randomly all over the city. It seemed as if ‘quick and easy’ abortions were readily available to all, even more so during holi-days. This aspect became the focus point of the artist’s work. His interest was also focussed on the HIV/Aids pandemic.

74

Mokgotho, Hendrick Nare JohannesburgStolen MokgothoMixed media70cm x 70cm

Profile:Mokgotho was born in 1986 and is cur-rently studying BA(FA) at the University of the Witwatersrand.

Description of artwork:Stolen Mokgoto implements the idea that the artist is a brand – a brand identifi ed most notably through its distinctive name, with more intensity. Instead of intrusively including himself as a col-laborative partner in the creation of other artist’s works, he has chosen to include the signature of another artist on one of his works.

75

Moloto, Itumeleng BenetteBloemfontein

The discipleAcrylic on canvas

90cm x 60cm

Profile:Moloto was born in 1979 and studied art at the Mmabana Cultural Centre.

Description of artwork:This painting depicts the baptism of a disciple.

76

Mosopa, Tshepo GordonPretoriaUntitledMixed media27cm x 46cm x 24cm

Profile:Mosopa was born in 1985 and studied Fine and Applied Art for two years at the Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria. He is currently studying Print-making at the Artist Proof Studio.

Description of artwork:The wheel is the metaphor to explore the concept of how fragile life is. Although the glass is covered by the tyre it can fall out and break at any time. The tar rep-resents the hardness of life – fi lled with potholes and pitfalls.

Description of aThe wheel is the metap

ltmf

The wheel is the metapconcept of how fragile

tmf

concept of how fragile the glass is covered by tout and break at any timresents the hardness ofpotholes and pitfalls.

77

Ncaphayi, Mongezi ZanemvulaJohannesburg

Dialogue with the strayedLinocut

56cm x 74cm

Profile:Ncaphayi was born in 1983 and studied for the Na-tional Diploma in Art and Design at the Ekurhuleni East College of Art and Design.

Description of artwork:Through this work the artist portrays his fascination with collecting specifi c kinds of tools associated with hard labour. These discarded objects became meta-phors of our history, which is layered with emotion.

78

Nekhavhambe, Mbavhalelo Immanuel ThohoyandouFetish charmsVideo 1 min 50 sec

Profile:Nekhavhambe was born in 1981 and stud-ied for the BTech(FA) degree.

Description of artwork:The artist took Nkisi from its cultural place and treated it as something totally different than what it was originally cre-ated for.

79

Pretorius, AletPretoria

Rain IIDigital print

49,5cm x 67,5cm

Profile:Pretorius was born in 1980 and studied B(Journ) at Rhodes University, Grahamstown.

Description of artwork:As a photo journalist, Pretorius is often placed in unfamiliar situations and by recording certain events, places her in a position of a better understanding of other people, cultures and events. Experi-encing the beauty and the ugliness in the world makes you appreciate your own life and makes you tolerant towards other people’s lives and way of living. Here she captured a person sheltering from the rain.

80

Pretorius, Lorinda SamanthaPort ElizabethRendering illusionMixed Media45,5cm x 34,5cm x 25cm

Profile:Pretorius was born in 1987 and studied for the National Diploma in Fine Arts at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Uni-versity, Port Elizabeth.

Description of artwork:Multiple sheets of glass are inserted into a stand and arranged in a linear manner to create an illusion of a three-dimen-sional image.

o r

81

Rautenbach, Janice LynPort Elizabeth

See meClay and cement200cm x 200cm

Profile:Rautenbach was born in 1977 and studied for the BTech(FA) degree at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth.

Description of artwork:The work consists of 32 small fragile white ceramic pots. Every pot rests on a block of cement. The blocks of cement are placed in a grid formation and deals with the personal and the cultural identity of the artist as a white person.

82

Reen, Joanne LouisePort ElizabethNestHuman hair and hairspray10cm x 10cm x 10cm

Profile:Reen was born in 1976 and studied for the BTech(FA) degree at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth.

Description of artwork:The nest-like form symbolising a nurtur-ing place of safety, was created from crocheted, female hair. Hair is a reference to the recollection of past traditional feminine roles. As Catherine de Zegher suggested “hair is the symbol of remem-brance; the timelessness of hair refl ects the timelessness of memory.” The work is gender-motivated and questions post-feminist identity in contrast to pre-femi-nist desires to please and comfort.

83

Rosin, Stephen John Bellville Rangefi nder (2009)

Mixed media 45cm x 97cm x 92cm

Profile:Rosin was born in 1975 and studied for the National Diploma in Fine Arts at the Technikon, Port Elizabeth. He also obtained his BTech(FA) degree cum laude. He has participated in several exhibitions, including the Absa L’Atelier Exhibition in 2007 and 2008. He was chosen as a top ten fi nalist in 2008.

Description of artwork:A range-fi nder is a device that measures the distance from the observer to a spe-cifi c target. The purpose of this is to accu-rately aim the weapon in order to exact a ‘kill’. The rangefi nder game is based on luck and chance and therefore contra-dicts this idea of accuracy. The piece is intended to mimic museum installation, showcasing a toy from a bygone era. This gives the work an archival identity, which genders a degree of authenticity and believability in the piece.

84

Rosin, Stephen JohnBellvilleThe devil makes his Christmas pie from politicians’ tongues and bankers’ fi ngers (2008)Mixed media58cm x 80cm

Description of artwork:The work is a visual adaptation of the English proverb “The devil makes his Christmas pie from lawyers’ tongues and clerks’ fi ngers”. It speaks of the current propensity of concen-trating wealth and power in the hands of an elite few while disregarding the need of many.

It shows a group portrait of what could possibly be a government, cabinet or board members of a bank or corporation. The form is purposefully garish and is intended to express and satirise the often fl ashy superfi -ciality of the overly wealthy and powerful.

85

Saayman, Wynand PhilippusBellville

Kits-KosMixed media

164cm x 65cm x 33,5cm

Profile:Saayman was born in 1984 and studied BA(FA) at the University of Stellenbosch. He has participated in several exhibitions, including the Absa L’Atelier Exhibitions in 2007 and 2008.

Description of artwork:This is an ongoing project in which the artist investigates the (visual) identity of the Afrikaner male.

86

Sales, Lynda Dorothy (Lyndi)BellvilleCarbon cloudMixed media104,5cm x 155,5cm

Profi le:Sales was born in 1973 and studied BA(FA) (Printmaking) at the University of Cape Town, which she obtained with distinc-tion. She also studied for the MA(FA) at the University of Cape Town, which she also obtained with distinction. She has partici-pated in several exhibitions, including the Absa Atelier Exhibition in 2001 and in the Absa L’Atelier Exhibitions in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. She was also selected as a top ten fi nalist in the Absa

L’Atelier Exhibitions in 2003 and 2005, whilst she received a Merit Award in 2007.

Description of artwork:The artist was initially interested in using carbon paper from a printmaking perspec-tive as a medium of multiplication. But rather than using the paper as ‘ink’ she was more fascinated in the carbon paper as the fi nal product.

The recordable traces, in negative, of an

image or text that are left behind in layers on the iridescent electric blue of the carbon paper are almost forensic. Carbon paper used to create sensitive documents can be subjected to forensic analysis and is thus a concern within information security. Therefore, it must be shredded or otherwise destroyed to maintain security. The artist gathered carbon paper waste from various institutions that were obliging and began cutting electric cloud formations into the paper.

87

Shabalala, Mbhekiseni Victor Durban The scapegoat

Mixed media53cm x 31cm x 24cm

Profile:Shabalala was born in 1975. He grew up on the Ardmore farm in the Natal Mid-lands and returned to the farm after he left his job at Shoprite Checkers. He has participated in several exhibitions.

Description of artwork:The Zulu people slaughter goats to perform their rituals and it reminded the artist of Jesus Christ in one way or an-other. The knobs on the body depict the sins that the scapegoat carries on behalf of everybody.

88

Shabalala, Mbhekiseni VictorDurbanMother of the nationMixed media50cm x 24cm x 21cm

Description of artwork:Mother of the nation is portrayed in such a manner as to make us aware that she can feed the nation.

uch e

89

Shoul, Marc GaryJohannesburg

Casbah roadhouse, King George Road, Brakpan, 2008

Photography61,5cm x 59cm

Profile:Shoul was born in 1975 and studied for the National Diploma in Photography at the Port Elizabeth Technikon. He also ob-tained his BTech degree in Photography at the Port Elizabeth Technikon. He has participated in several exhibitions.

Description of artworks:This is a depiction of some of the day-to- day activities in the small mining town of Brakpan on the East Rand, Gauteng.

90

Shoul, Marc GaryJohannesburgDown town sports bar, Elliot Road, Brakpan, 2008Photography61,5cm x 59cm

91

Snyman, Wessel SheaBellville

On the mechanics of loss and melancholyMixed media

56cm x 70cm x 26cm

Profile:Snyman was born in 1985 and studied BA(FA) at the University of Stellenbosch. He is currently reading for an MA(FA) at the University of Stellenbosch. He has participated in several exhibitions.

Description of artwork:This is a mechanical piece that audibly copies the emotional journey through loss and the melancholy that follows.ancholy that follows.

92

Strydom, EstiBellvilleCameleopardalusPhotographic print55,5cm x 83,5cm

Profile:Strydom was born in 1985 and studied BA(FA) (Photography) at the Michaelis School of Fine Art, University of Cape Town. She has participated in several exhibitions and received several awards.

Description of artwork:The illustration of the animal comes from the 16th century and was drawn by someone who has never seen a giraffe fi rst-hand and who had to conjure up an image from the imagination and oral descriptions. This illustration is re-photo-graphed on slide fi lm, projected onto and into a real specifi c site and documented to show some proof of the performance/intervention.

93

Stuart-Clark, Lucy BenaEast London

Domestic confrontationMixed media

(Sixteen-part)30cm x 23cm each

Profile:Stuart-Clark was born in 1987 and is currently studying BA(FA) at Rhodes Uni-versity, Grahamstown.

Description of artwork:Inspired by Victorian silhouettes and cameos, Domestic confrontation was inspired by Victorian woman question-ing the notion of an idealised woman in the 21st century. Most often a woman is considered ‘ideal’ if she can maintain a good home while pursuing a successful career. The irony is that most South Afri-can career women are often only able to maintain their homes because they have hired help. In theory, this would make the South African domestic worker an ‘ideal’ woman – she is able to make money from keeping the home together. It is, however, not her home. Domestic confrontation ex-plores this tension by contrasting certain South African consumer goods – brands, which are often targeted towards par-ticular races.

94

Thobejane, Nkahloleng LucasPolokwaneAnother shiftWood47cm x 23,5cm x 12cm

Profile:Thobejane was born in 1973. He trained as a carpenter and had no formal train-ing in art. He has participated in several exhibitions, including the Absa L’Atelier Exhibition in 2006.

Description of artwork:South Africa has many minerals and therefore different kinds of mines. Many people work in the mines to provide food for their families.

nother shiftWood

7cm x 23

shiftshift

3,5cm x 12cm

95

Thobejane, Nkahloleng LucasPolokwane

Sarie tea pleaseWood

40cm x 12,5cm x 10,5cm

Description of artwork:There is a man called Tom who loves tea. Everyday he opens his window and win-dow curtains and calls Sarie his employee that it is tea time.

T

96

Tschudin, Carolyn DominiquePolokwaneRootsCharcoal95,5cm x 191,5cm

Profile:Tschudin was born in 1984 and studied for the National Diploma in Fine Arts at the Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria.

Description of artwork:This artwork portrays the roots of all or-ganic life and who you are through your DNA, your heritage, the beginning of life and memory.

97

Tshivhandakano, NdwamatoThohoyandou

Woman and child abuseLinocut

51,5cm x 42cm

Profile:Tshivhandakano was born in 1982 and studied Art at Matongoni. He has partici-pated in several exhibitions, including the Absa L’Atelier Exhibitions in 2005, 2006 and 2008.

Description of artwork:The artwork depicts women and child abuse.

98

Tully, Ann-Marie PatriciaJohannesburgAnilogos: Space dog, Sputnik VOil on canvas28,5cm x 35cm

Profile:Tully was born in 1976 and studied MA(FA) at the University of the Witwatersrand. She has participated in several exhibitions, in-cluding the absa L’Atelier Exhibition in 2007.

Description of artwork:Domination of animals is encoded into the very structure of language. Try and follow

the word ‘cats’ with ‘whom’ and your spell-check will quickly alert you to the more appropriate ‘that’. This work is concerned with upstaging the animetaphor by assign-ing language and thoughts to creatures who have before and after Descartes been nothing more than automata supposedly functioning without sentence, thought and language.

99

Van Zyl, AdellePretoria

Nameless things #14Mixed media

63,5cm x 63,5cm

Profile:Van Zyl was born in 1981 and studied BA(VA) at Unisa.

Description of artwork:The work portrays categories, labels, names, etc. and that we are caught up in defi nitions and in trying to fi t in.

100

Visser, Marguerite ElizabethBloemfonteinPossession/walkway/intersectionOil on wood(Triptych)a) 60cm x 42cmb) 60cm x 42cmc) 60cm x 42cm

Description of artwork:The triptych explores the enchantment that preserved natural settings hold for the city dweller. The paintings are based on photographs, which documented the artist’s walk on the otter trail in the Tsit-sikamma nature reserve near Knysna. The woods are an embodiment of myth and fairytale fear, notions that intersect with the rational and metaphorical experience of cultivated pleasure.

Profile:Visser was born in 1985 and studied BA(FA) at the University of the Free State, Bloemfontein.

101

Wargau, Fabian OliverPretoria

Screen drip: 08Enamel paint on canvas

152cm x 121,5cm

Profile:Wargau was born in 1984 and studied BA(VA) at Unisa.

Description of artwork:The artwork investigates new ways to equate with pixels from a television screen paint on canvas. This process has led the artist to create works that deny the televised experience as a whole – capturing only instances of a ‘real’ visual – any minute part of the screen, or even screen-shots in their entirety. Drops of enamel paint are in essence ‘interlaced’ as a television screen would when medi-ating a broadcast using colouration that is limited only to the RGB, the red, green and blue. The concept deals with media-tion as well as reality.

102

Washkansky, DaleBellvilleCleaveMixed media73,5cm x 89,5cm

Profi le:Washkansky was born in 1980 and studied BA(FA)at the Michaelis School of Fine Art, University of Cape Town. He is currently read-ing for an MA(FA) at the same university.

Description of artwork:The image grapples with the notion of a wil-ful return and an aching separation. The im-age was constructed by physically collaging

negatives to make a composite and singular negative. The process remains the mark-ings of erasure and compilation. The fi gures thereby retain wounds, which separates them from the background. The masculine and feminine fi gures therefore remain dis-connected from each other, locked into their respective spaces in which the environment becomes bruised hinting at a vacuous emp-tiness beneath the photographic surface.

103

Watermeyer, Robert WilliamBellville

Onseepkans port of entry, 14th August 2008Photography75cm x 90cm

Profile:Watermeyer was born in 1983 and studied BA(FA) at the Michaelis School of Fine Art, University of Cape Town. He is currently reading for an MA(FA) at the Michaelis School of Fine Art, University of Cape Town.

Description of artwork:Onseepkans port of entry, 14th August 2008 is a border control point between South Africa and Namibia. The artist is presently investigating the border posts of South Africa and this work forms part of a larger body of work.

104

Watermeyer, Robert WilliamBellvilleGolela port of entry, 29 August 2008Photography74,5cm x 90cm

Description of artwork:Golela port of entry, 29 August 2008 is a border control point between South Africa and Swaziland. The artist is inves-tigating the border posts of South Africa and this work also forms part of a larger body of work.

105

White, ErnestineBellville

Who am I? Who are you?Mixed media39cm x 52cm

Profi le:White was born in 1976 and studied BA(FA) at the School of Art and Design, Purchase College, New York. She also studied MA(FA) at the Michaelis School of Fine Art, University of Cape Town.

Description of artwork:While on a residency in Colombo, Sri Lanka the artist encountered the word Kaffi r, which is used to describe a community of people who are of African descent

within the Sirambiyadia region of the country. The artist’s interaction with the word has forced her to re-evaluate the symbolic content inherent in its meaning and its relation to her as an individual with a specifi c geographical and historical background. Like memories, words are not concrete things but rather symbols that contain a deeper set of meaning, that symbolically represent a particular context that is not always clear and changes over time.

106

Whitehead, Johanna Jacoba (Hanje)JohannesburgPartouse de poisons (Orgy of fi sh)Mixed media42cm x 12,5cm x 120,5cm

Profile:Whitehead was born in 1985 and studied BA(FA) at the University of Pretoria. She has participated in several exhibitions, including the Absa L’Atelier Exhibitions in 2007 and 2008.

Description of artwork:The artwork consists of three leather kinetic fi sh on a stainless steel box. The artist works with fi sh for its unrivalled symbolism related to the lives of humans whose lives become as restricted as that of fi sh. Our daily lives become patterns of our existence.

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107

Wildenboer, BarbaraBellville

Birds of preyMixed media

(Five-part)43,5cm x 43,5cm each

Profile:Wildenboer was born in 1973 and studied BA(Ed) at the University of Pretoria. She also studied BA(VA) at Unisa and MA(FA) at the Michaelis School of Fine Art, Uni-versity of Cape Town. She has partici-pated in several exhibitions, including the Absa L’Atelier Exhibitions in 2003, 2005 and 2008.

Description of artwork:Birds of prey consist of a series of fi ve discarded natural history reference books, the pages having been manipu-lated into forms that are more sculp-tural. The artist’s working process entails sourcing from different reference books and transfering and juxtaposing images and text from different pages onto each other to create new visual hybrids. Reference is made to processes of cross-referencing and intertexts as it occurs in scientifi c study.

108

Wright, Linda KathrynPort ElizabethTranscending prosperityMixed media153cm x 66cm x 66cm

Profile:Wright was born in 1976 and studied BA(FA) at Rhodes University, Grahamstown.

Description of artwork:The chandelier epitomises material wealth and luxury and is usually found in the foyer or entrance to a building or home, looming powerfully and authoritatively over our heads and dominating our fi rst impression as we enter the interior and gaze upward.

The artist inverted the chandelier to reverse its position to the polar opposite to directly negate this intention. In doing so the artist is grounding it to the surface beneath our feet and in turn it grows upward like a tree to meet our gaze. In the current economic depression and prevailing global scarcity consciousness, she invites the viewer to transcend the material and rise above the value we place on luxurious commodities and the exhibi-tion of wealth to bringing it down from its high status to base level.

109

Ziqubu, Sicelo Victor SandileJohannesburg

Unfi nished story of 2010 FIFA World CupMixed media installation180cm x 200cm x 200cm

Profile:Ziqubu was born in 1974 and obtained a Public Relations Diploma. He has partici-pated in several exhibitions, including the Absa L’Atelier Exhibition in 2008, where he was selected as a top ten fi nalist.

Description of artwork:This is an incomplete story of the soccer tournament to be held in South Africa next year. It is hoped that this tournament will brighten the lives of our South African rain-bow nation as well as our guests who will be arriving in aeroplanes from elsewhere.

110

Previous Absa L’Atelier Winners

1986WinnerPenny SiopisMerit Award WinnersDeborah BellAndrew BreebaartDennis PurvisSimon Stone

1987WinnerClive van den BergMerit Award WinnersAndries BothaPhilippa HobbsTommy MotswaiKarel Nel

1988WinnerDiane VictorMerit Award WinnersKay CowleyGuy du ToitJohann LouwMargaret Vorster

1989WinnerHennie StroebelMerit Award WinnersCaroline JonesWalter OltmannGiulio TambelliniJeremy Wafer

1990WinnerBarend de WetMerit Award WinnersAndrew BreebaartJean BruwerGuy du ToitJudy Woodborne

1991WinnerVirginia MacKennyMerit Award WinnersNicole DonaldRuth MilehamJohann van der SchijffPierre van der Westhuizen

1992WinnerPaul EdmundsMerit Award WinnersWayne BarkerMarc EdwardsDominic ThorburnMinette Vári

1993WinnerDominic ThorburnMerit Award WinnersSiemon AllenDiek GroblerAdam LetchRussel Scott

1994WinnerJonathan ComerfordMerit Award WinnersAndrew PutterKevin RobertsHenk SerfonteinAlastair Whitton

1995WinnerKevin RobertsMerit Award WinnersMoses CetywayoGordon FroudDiek GroblerPeet Pienaar

1996WinnerIsaac KhanyileMerit Award WinnersHanneke BenadéWim BothaSamkelo BunuBerco Wilsenach

1997WinnerIlse PahlMerit Award WinnersLucas BamboCecile HeystekKim LiebermanRichardt Strydom

(Known as Volkskas Bank Atelier Competition up to 1998 and from 1999 to 2001 known as Absa Atelier Competition)

111

1998WinnerKarl GietlMerit Award WinnersWayne BarkerHanneke BenadéJean BrundritPeter Rippon

1999WinnerRyan ArensonMerit Award WinnersBrad HammondFritha LangermanAlbert RedelinghuysVanessa van Wyk

2000WinnerBrad HammondMerit Award WinnersJoni BrennerNatasha ChristopherColbert MashileNigel Mullins

2001WinnerStefanus RademeyerMerit Award WinnersMarco CianfanelliDaniel HirschmannBrent MeistreMerryn Singer

2002WinnerMarco CianfanelliMerit Award WinnersNatasha ChristopherAlastair McLachlanBenninghoff PurenJames Webb

2003WinnerSanell AggenbachMerit Award WinnersRetha BornmannNatasha ChristopherPatricia DriscollBerco Wilsenach

2004WinnerConrad BotesMerit Award WinnersStephen HobbsPieter HugoLize MullerRobert RichGerard Sekoto WinnerBelinda Zangewa

2005WinnerBerco WilsenachMerit Award WinnersKatherine BullLawrence LemaoanaPatrice MabasaMikhael SubotzkyGerard Sekoto WinnerLawrence Lemaoana

2006WinnerRuth SacksMerit Award WinnersNathani LüneburgRiason NaidooAnet NorvalJames WebbGerard Sekoto WinnerNomusa Makhubu

2007WinnerPierre FouchéMerit Award WinnersNina BarnettWayne MatthewsLyndi SalesJaco SpiesGerard Sekoto WinnerNina Barnett

2008WinnerJames WebbMerit Award WinnersChristiaan HattinghLunga KamaAlhyrian LaueAtonia SteynGerard Sekoto WinnerRetha Ferguson