PROTEST | 18 JUNE – 12 JULY 2015
Protest: A remonstrance, act of resistance. An expression of bearing witness on behalf of an express cause by words, images or through bold action around a particular cause’
Vusi Beauchamp | Willem Boshoff | Kudzanai Chiurai | Abdoul-Ganiou Dermani | Gerald Machona | Angus Mackinnon | Pola Mineli | Samson Mnisi | Lavar Munroe | Artu Peatoo | Kenan Petersen | Jumoke Sanwo | Johan Thom | MJ Turpin | Fiatsi Va-Bene | Usha Seejarim | Laura Windvogel (Lady Skollie)
OPENING NIGHT | 18 June | 18:30 - 21:00
Exhibition opening address by author and philosopher, Professor Achille Mbembe, WISER, Wits Institute for Social & Economic Research.
WILLEM BOSHOFF TALK | 25 JUNE | 18:30 - 20:00
Exhibition curated by Beathur Mgoza Baker
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“We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”
Elie Wiesel
Art and activism have a long history and the ability to refocus society. The views artists take can educate and galvanise action out of complacency and challenge popular narratives.
The artist's position in society is to remain independent, to stand firmly against censorship and the abuse of human rights. There are times when these abuses and censorship is so prescient that the reaction has to be stronger and more immediate. Artworks that emerge from this vacuum often act as a scintilla, igniting a society into a collective 'NO'.
With the Protest exhibition we seek to explore this choice to protest and the artist's individual and collective voice, and examine their stand against violence and injustice. We also celebrate their courage, strong sense of social justice and conscientiousness.
A key artwork featured in the exhibition is Willem Boshoff’s controversial ‘RACIST IN SOUTH AFRICA’ (2011), currently on show at the South African Pavilion at the Venice Biennial. Boshoff will speak at the gallery on Thursday 25th June about the reaction to the artwork. In addition, the gallery will publish, with Boshoff a scrapbook of the responses and critiques of the artwork.
“Of course I am not a racist. The very idea of unfair discrimination against others, for whatever reason, deeply offends and nauseates me.”
Willem Boshoff, 2015
The exhibition is proud to represent a Pan-African selection of artist’s and artwork, reflecting HAZARD’s motivation to look beyond the borders of South Africa to seek a more representative African voice.
Selected press:
