The Cow Hide Ceiling. Nandipha Mntambo at Michael Stevenson.
Monday, August 20, 2007
I've taken a while thinking about this show, Ingabisa, because I'm two minds about it. On the one hand it is interesting work. It is erotic and politicised at the same time, a good combination in my books. The sculptures use cow hides, which are moulded into female shapes, creating these disembodied forms, revealing the curve of an ass or a breast in the folds of the material. At the same time using cow, the symbol of lobola, equating women with monetary exchange in patriarchal system makes the eroticism a little uncomfortable. The title, a word meaning a young virgin ready to pick a husband or be picked, confirms this impression. On the whole it's a strange yet satisfying combination of feelings, and relevant to the current dominant attitude towards African women.On the other hand, I worry, having seen Nandipha's previous and very similar work, that she has hit on a successful formula, and is repeating it. This misgiving is reinforced by the presence of prints of photographs of sculptures available in the back room, a cheaper and editioned alternative. It gives one a sinister whiff of money that is at odds with sinister whiff of money I mentioned above.
Still, I'm looking forward to see where it goes in the future, and hoping that the only smell I get is that of a tannery.
Labels: cow hide, Ingabisa, Michael Stevenson, Nandipha Mntambo
posted by Robert Sloon at 3:57 PM
4 Comments:
last time I checked Sloon, a gallery's function is to sell art. Don't know why you and your crew are so hung up about art actually maybe quite possibly selling.
Anonymous,
Maybe I should clarify a bit. I have no problem with selling work, or selling it effectively. Some of my best friends sell work. My problem in this instance was with how this became a noticeable part of the work, when the marketing process becomes too visible it obscures the meaning (and to me, value) of the work (and not in a cool Warholian way, either) .
Dear Robert
I am interested in representing you, gallery wise.
At this moment, I wish to remain anonymous, but I am a prominent Cape gallerist, and would like to present a solo exhibit of your work.
Sloony, the quality of your reviews of late has been very impressive. Nice work giving this rag a spot of class.
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