Portraiture more than head and shoulders
BIRDHAVEN - In Toto Gallery's second portrait exhibition, Id Entity II, is more than just a collection of 'head and shoulders' paintings.
Visitors will see the fruits of 30 artists’ attempt to define both identity and portraiture.
“Portraiture in art has always been linked to the concept of identity, for what stronger link is there between a sense of self and the human face,” said curator Megan Kidd.
“In this exhibition, we strive to question and delve into portraiture, keeping this notion of identity in mind, and asking ourselves, ‘Can we really define identity and, in the same breath, can we define portraiture?'”
In curating the show, Kidd endeavoured to gather together a broad range of works; historical and contemporary, South African and international.
The works are in as wide a variety as possible, to allow visitors to see portraiture as “more than a straightforward ‘head and shoulders’ depiction of a sitting subject”.
Kidd added that the ‘Id’ in ‘Id Entity’ linked up with notions of art and the pure, instinctual pleasure it could provide.
“According to Sigmund Freud’s model of the psyche, the Id is the set of uncoordinated instinctual trends which acts according to the ‘pleasure principle’,” she said.
“We hope the exhibition appeals to your senses, even on the most unconscious level, and inspires you to consider your own views on art, identity and portraiture.”
Artists participating in the exhibition include Tanisha Bhana, Katy Barton-Bridges, Becky Haysom, Bruce Donald, Robert Broadley and St. John Fuller.
Id Entity II will run until 27 October at In Toto Gallery, 6 Birdhaven Centre, 66 St Andrew Street, Birdhaven.
Details: 011 447 6543; www.intotogallery.co.za
