The "Walk solo exhibition" is on display at the WHAG until May 30.
Image: Supplied
THE “Walk solo exhibition” by William Humphreys Art Gallery (WHAG) resident artist Ulric ‘Namasun’ Roberts is on exhibition at the art gallery until May 30.
Chief curator of the WHAG, Chepape Makgato, said the exhibition, which was run in partnership with the MTN Foundation, portrayed the history and identity of contemporary African narratives.
He stated that his artworks encompassed oil and acrylic painting, found object installations and sound pieces that delved into themes of ancestral wisdom, de-colonisation and the reclamation of indigenous knowledge, inviting critical engagement.
“As a committed community activist, Roberts is deeply engaged in land advocacy issues in Concordia, Namaqualand, where he is a member of the Communal Property Association.”
Makgato added that the artworks also paid homage to Robert’s father, Raymond Roberts, who passed away in 2021.
“He also pays tribute to those who walked the earth before us through the use of wheelchairs, shoes, and walking sticks as metaphors. He acknowledges the varied ways people move through spaces, whether on wheels, with assistive devices, or on foot. This exhibition is groundbreaking in that, for the first time in the gallery’s history, we present an African artist in a solo exhibition of this scale.”
He stated that the exhibition provided a platform for Roberts to deepen his research into the intersection of oral traditions and contemporary artistic practices.
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