Mohau Modisakeng (South Africa 1986-), Untitled (Zanj 1) ,2019
Provenance : [Propriété non datée]
- Braverman Gallery, Tel Aviv
Exhibited : Braverman Gallery, Mohau Modisakeng, Tel Aviv-Yafo, 10 July to 8 October 2020.
Literature :
Notes : Notes: In 2019, Mohau Modisakeng, produced multiple bodies of work around the principal title Zanj, which translates to ‘Land of the Blacks’. Working through performance, film and photography, the overarching theme branches off into different focuses. In Zanj I, a figure rolls and moves through dense brown sand. This piece of the land is symbolic of the ocean in context, paying tribute to the black slave revolt of ad 869–883 across the Gulf in Basra – known as the Zanj Rebellion. The use of intentional movement to depict paradoxical ancestral memory, captures the essence of Modisakeng’s oeuvre; the figures, like his ancestors, appear powerful, yet fragile. Through daily spiritual practices, Modisakeng works to simultaneously expose the violence of colonisation experienced by Black men and women, historically and still today, whilst empowering himself to represent Blackness in ways that his predecessors were not able to. Capturing a singular body in different poses through multiple shots, Modisakeng aims to individuate those who were part of mass migration. In doing so, he carefully draws attention to a time in history that has informed the present-day living and working conditions of Black people in post-colonial Africa. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this lot will benefit art students on Feenix.org, an online fundraising platform that connects students and communities to fundraise towards achieving debt-free tertiary education. Collections: The artist is represented in numerous local and international collections, notably, Zeitz MOCAA, Cape Town.; Iziko South African National Gallery, Cape Town.; Scheryn Art Collection, Cape Town.; Saatchi Gallery, London and 21C Museum Hotel, Louisville.
Condition_report : The overall condition is excellent.
