Space Fusion Artists profiles

The show presents a dialogue between art and design, process and product, real and virtual spaces through photography, sculpture and interior design. Artists were asked to consider the concept of “seat” / “chair”  for its application across the spaces we occupy, both virtual and real. 

Interpretations have ranged from the intensely personal explorations of the seat of ones soul or spirit, to socio-political commentary about the seats of power, to more practical interpretations exploring elements of fine industrial design for this widely used piece of furniture.

Kevin Brand : Kevin Brand is an Artist and educator who is well known for his politically motivated works of the 1980's and 90's. His works are mainly sculptural in nature and of an installation bias. His Nineteen boys running (1988), Make mark here (1993) and HERE XVII (1995) are widely regarded as of the finest bodies of work produced in the country at that time.
Brand continues to make thought visually powerful and provoking sculpture.

Carla Crafford: Artist photographer, guest lecturer in photography for students studying Fine Art and Information Design, Department of Visual Arts, University of Pretoria.

Wilma Cruise: Wilma Cruise is a sculptor, a poet, and a writer on art and ceramics. She has had twelve solo exhibitions and is the creator of the monument to the women of South Africa. Her work has been shown on The Havana Biennale in Cuba in 1995 and in 1997. In 2001 she was selected to exhibit at the Florence Biennale in Italy where she won a Lorenzo Il Magnifico medal in the digital art section.

Guy du Toit:Guy du Toit is widely acclaimed as one of the country's most accomplished and innovative contemporary sculptors. He graduated from the University of Pretoria with a distinction in sculpture and has been exhibiting his work for almost two decades. His has shown both locally and abroad. Many of du Toit's cast sculptures are once-off originals that are not reproduced in editions.

Gerda Genis:South African born photographer Gerda Genis studied Graphic Art and Design at the University of Stellenbosch.Having learned her trade while assisting a photographer in Amsterdam, she re-entered the South African arena in 1985 and quickly became known as an absolute 'passionata' with a hawk's eye for detail and design.

 People and the pursuit of truth and character in her photographs, has become the driving force in her work. She has hence developed the strong celebrity following she has acquired.  She has worked with people as widely varied as Corbin Bernson, Claudia Schiffer, Alfrie Woodard and Linda Evangelista; as well as just about every local celebrity, from rugby hero to beauty queen.

Bongiwe Mchunu: Bongiwe Mchunu is a photo journalist with the Independent Group

Thobeka Ndabula: Currently a photo journalist with the Sowetan, Nabula studied at the Market Theatre Photo Workshop in Johannesburg. In her spare time, she is working on a coffee table book on the life of Epainette Mbeki, mother of state president Thabo Mbeki.  Ndabula’s interpretation of Space Fusion has led her away from the physical to explore her more spiritual spaces. Says Ndabula about her work for this show, “ my space is my quite time with God”.

Raymond Preston: Raymond Preston is Chief Photographer at the Sunday Times.   Preston's photographs have appeared in many local newspapers and in various international magazines including Time, Newsweek and Stern. Preston has won more than 12 major photographic awards during his career, for both political and sports photographs.

Strangelove: Strangelove is commonly known as an avant-garde fashion lable, and was formed in 2001 by Ziemek Pater and Carlo Gibson. Their clothing combines the harsh elements of our african urban environment with the delicate process of design.

However Strangelove is involved in far more than mere fashion. They work extensively in theatre, dance and other creative fields that stretch the realm of clothing design to an intensely creative space

Zach Taljaard: Taljaard completed a residency at acclaimed artists’ studio, The Bag Factory in Johannesburg in 2006. Often using the pop art archetype, Taljaard’s sculptures explore various foibles of the human condition in a self reflective manner, most commonly masculinity and the formation of gender identity.

Bevan Thornton: Thorton is a young artist with an impressive CV. He has worked as a professional assistant to Guy Du Toit and Wim Botha, both well respected artists. He counts amoung his achievements his participation in the 2002 ‘PPC Young Sculpture Competition’ (SA Arts Association, Pretoria) where he was awarded “Technical Excellence Runner up and the  2003 ‘PPC Young Sculpture Competition’ (Sa Arts Association, Pretoria) where he was awarded  “Technical Excellence 1st Place”

Twiice International:Twiice International is a versatile, fast growing and dynamic company, specialising in providing furniture solutions on any scale.

Liam Mooney for Whatiftheworld / Design Studio: Liam Mooney is a renowned furniture designer based in Cape Town South Africa.
His products and furniture are now available at the new Whatiftheworld / Design Studio store on Hope Street Cape Town.

Dale Yudelman :Johannesburg born photographer Dale Yudelman’s career has led him through two eras of South African history and across several continents. Yudelman joined South Africa’s largest daily newspaper The Star in 1979. During this time of intense social and political turmoil he also worked on his own personal series of images turning his unique eye to the world around him.   Yudelman's compassionate and imaginative honesty speaks truths about South African culture that are still relevant to an understanding of the culture today.

Dudu Zitha: Zitha is currently a photojournalist with news24

For more information and images contact
Taryn Cohn
Media Liaison for Artspace Gallery
083 6715139
taryncohn@artsourcesouthafrica.co.za
www.artspace-jhb.co.za