An artist and figurative painter, Ada-Ruth Kellow launched her exhibition The Braai Master on October 18 at the fire station in Rosebank.

Kellow took the media and attendees on a walkabout explaining her exhibition.

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The braai, as a subject matter in Kellow’s painting, stems from a long-standing interest in the search for ‘affiliative humour’.

She sees the braai as a common denominator for finding laughter in an otherwise fractured society.

“In this body of work, I approach the braai as an observer of society, uncovering many revelations. The braai is not merely a way of preparing food; it is a ritual, a culture, an identity, and a tradition. “

In the wider sense, braaing reflects our relationship to both nature and community.

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The artist also reimagines the braai as a mediator for conversations beyond rugby, as a symbol of family care, and a force holding different generations together.

Kellow presents the braai as a mirror of society, revealing the gendered dynamics and masculinity embedded within this space.

These themes resonate with Kellow’s narrative painting style.

She takes the viewer on a journey through layered storytelling, from broad landscapes into intimate family settings, their gardens, and onto their tables, where a bottle of Mrs Ball’s inevitably takes pride of place.

The works consist of landscape, portraiture, and still life. For Kellow, the braai becomes a platform of togetherness: sharing joy, reflection, and a touch of satire.

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