FADA Gallery: University of Johannesburg.: ONTLUIKENDE ON/GE-MAK, Sophia van Wyk: FADA Gallery; Ground Floor. 8 January

Sophia van Wyk, Koffie breek, 2014. Coffee table, concrete,

steel pipe, stuffing, fabric, thread and polystyrene, 70 cm x 180 cm x 180 cm

An exhibition of sculptures exploring the use of material and biomorphic form to convey aspects of gendered and cultural identity constructs. In partial fulfilment of Masters’ in Visual Art at the University of Johannesburg.

ONTLUIKENDE ON/GE-MAK

Sophia van Wyk

FADA Gallery: Ground Floor

Sophia van Wyk, Koffie breek, 2014. Coffee table, concrete,

steel pipe, stuffing, fabric, thread and polystyrene, 70 cm x 180 cm x 180 cm

Dates: Thursday 8 January – 6 February 2015

Closing event: 4 February at 18:30

Gallery hours: Mondays to Fridays 09:00-16:00

Sophia van Wyk, Koffie breek, 2014. Coffee table, concrete,

steel pipe, stuffing, fabric, thread and polystyrene, 70 cm x 180 cm x 180 cm

Sophia van Wyk, Onttroon, 2014. Chair, fabric, varnish, concrete,
fibreglass and polystyrene, 100 cm x 150 cm x 90 cm

Artist’s Statement

In my solo exhibition Ontluikende on/ge-mak I explore the emergent nature of my Afrikaner female identity and the ongoing changes in conceptions of my identity. In my series of sculptures I incorporate second-hand furniture with biomorphic forms. Tension and disruption is created between the interaction of the form and the domestic objects.

Sophia van Wyk, Onttroon, 2014. Chair, fabric, varnish, concrete,
fibreglass and polystyrene, 100 cm x 150 cm x 90 cm

Sophia van Wyk, Ouma, 2014 - 2015. Fibreglass, fabric,
emboya side table and polystyrene, 36 x 52 x 45 cm

The biomorphic form may be read as mauling the furniture in a ‘dangerous’ way, which leads to the destruction of the furniture piece as an ‘object of comfort’. Through these artworks I question my role as an emergent female Afrikaner in post-apartheid South Africa.

Sophia van Wyk, Bal en vuis, 2014 - 2015. Fibreglass, fabric,

ball and claw footstool and polystyrene, 40 x 45 x 35 cm

My conflicting relationship between feelings of comfort and discomfort stem firstly from grappling with my Afrikaner legacy and my longing to construct an emergent ‘South African’ identity that stands apart from this limiting inheritance. Secondly, from my position as a post-feminist grappling with breaking away from the limiting Afrikaner female volksmoeder stereotype, by employing both masculine and feminine work techniques whilst embracing feminine complexity at the same time.