An exhibition exploring the distinction of line in varying mediums and topics. Each artist elaborates around notions of interaction and variation through, around, within and across lines of people, worlds and beings.

In a world where lines are often blurred and circumstances are more frequently confronted by knee-jerk reactions, Variation/ Distinction considers the personal narrative within this – from abstracted figurative sculptures to portrait paintings and deeply intimate video installations. Exploring the personal means that artists are able to tap into the resources most easily available to them, while also catalyzing an interaction of tense self-reflection. Both easy and harshly challenging, confronting and exploring the personal results in a complexly relatable set of ideas and notions. All people uncover and explore their own identity in different ways but the singular connector of self-study is a key thread that wraps around us all.

As such, the artworks presented in this exhibition of three unique artists, weaves a narrative of personal focus that is aware of and often articulates the distinction and variation of the lines that connect us and lead us down paths of exploration. While posing the question of distinction, this exhibition also calls the viewer’s attention to the variation in material traces of history, through the work of each different artist.  Anthony Lane’s sculptures describe movement by considering simple materials and shapes, which allude to the human form encompassing variation by virtue of the simplicity of form. Anthony Lane works across a variety of sculptural styles and modes as an artist but is also a skilled master draughtsman and designer. His work exemplifies an attentive approach to artmaking that is deeply concerned with form and representation, exploring subjects and themes through shapes and colours.

Duduza Mchunu, a recent fine art grad-uate who works across a variety of creative mediums from fashion, to acting to print making and sculpture, presents a video piece verging the line between art and documentary, present and future. Her piece explores the notion of being a shape-shifter, speaking in tongues, and what that means as a form of power and as a way of survival. Her work speaks to recovering and creating a ‘self’ from a non-existent place. Drawing from the notion that the existence of blackness in the world is an impossibility, the work explores distortion, discomfort and disorientation within the body, while holding onto the magic of movement and variation.

Vincent Osemwegie explores faces in their complexities and limes and variety. Concerned with notions of innocence, Vincent Osemwegie presents expressions comprised of lines and tones, painting emotion and questions. Pondering on the presence of choice within lived experience – questioning whether we can ever understand what lies behind appearances. Through monotone imagery, the paintings are vibrant with movement in the marks and gestures utilized.

As an exhibition of three artists, this show presents an opportunity for different mediums to be experienced through the distinct artistic voices that each present. The works revolve around crucial questions of existence, resistance, representation and visualization. The distinction of each artist results in a possibility for an appreciation of variation.   

– Clare Patrick

Vincent Osemwegie

Born in 1977, Nigerian painter Vincent Osemwegie’s continuous creative journey led him to South Africa in 2009. Vincent was born into a large family, with 21 siblings. Within the busy chaos of this childhood, art offered a means of quiet entertainment and as such, he was often found with a sketchbook in hand experimenting and playing with form and shape. Since arriving in South Africa in 2009, Vincent settled in Johannesburg, participating in various gallery and museum exhibitions. He first exhibited with Eclectica Contemporary in 2017.

Integral to his expressive technique, Vincent combines active movement through the dripping of paint to not only render subject matter, but to trace its construction. He explores ideas of physicality through motion and pairs this with the layering of materials to allude to the construction of form being multi-layered.

“The dual nature of man“; the good-the bad, the beautiful-the ugly/beast, the saint-the sinner… A man can be any of these depending on perception, the elements he is exposed to and the decisions he makes. Hence the reason for a constant inward search as he journeys through life whilst constantly being harassed by these various circumstances that reveals what’s on the inside. A human being can be anything; the decision he makes daily shapes him in either direction and there is no finishing or completing till his dying day. No man is perfect, no man will ever be… but pursuing perfection is ideal.

The aim is to engage the viewers in such a way that they take responsibility for their actions and acknowledge that their present status is as a result of their personal decisions whilst at the same time not finding themselves passing judgments on the next person for their predicaments even knowing fully well that we are all challenged by external forces. “I will challenge myself without restraint, but to challenge you, I’ll do it with caution and restraint”. “I will not judge you, as I do not know what exactly has shaped you thus far”

Vincent Osemwegie
Oblivion II
2018
mixed media on Canvas
120 x 150 cm – unframed
SOLD

Anthony Lane

Anthony Lane is a sculptor and multi award winning designer, who skilfully marries the technical sophistication of a master draughtsman with an instinctive understanding of three dimensional forms and mass. His sculptural projects deal primarily with contemporary abstract representations of the human form while also investigating the themes of order and chaos. Originally inspired by the idea of falling paper, the artist tries to capture continuous movement in a similar fashion as to what the Futurists tried to achieve. Anthony has exhibited in galleries and international art fairs. His work is housed in collections around the world.

Anthony Lane
Dance I & II
2014
Nickel plated brass on Corain
35 x 45 x 135 cm

Anthony Lane
“Random Thoughts” figures (series)
2014
Galvanized mild steel on black slate base
30 x 30 x 45 cm

Anthony Lane
“Procession” figures (series)
2014
Nickel plated brass on Corain
17.5 x 45 x 145 cm

Duduza Mchunu

Duduza Mchunu was born in 1995 and grew up in Johannesburg. In 2014 Duduza moved to Cape Town to begin her studies. Having majored in printmaking from UCT’s Michaelis School of Fine Art, Duduza Mchunu creates work that seeks to challenge the status quo and speak for marginalised bodies. Although her major was in printmaking, Duduza creates work across various platforms and mediums often utilizing digital media as a form of immediate expression.

The work created oscillates between the times and consciousnesses, while Duduza occupies the role of mediator, interpreter and creator.

Duduza Mchunu
Nowhere
2017
Video installation
Duration: 5 min 30 sec

Duduza Mchunu
Untitled
2017
wood and red orange sack