The Johannesburg Art Gallery Shows Peter Mammes Drawings, Sculptures & Paintings

Written by Hector Rammstein Thursday, 19 January 2012 20:07

Jahannesburg, SA - The Johannesburg Art Gallery (JAG) is proud to be hosting the exhibition "Antagonistic Harmonies in First Arrangement" by Peter Mammes. This exhibition is the first of three Project Room exhibitions for the year 2011 and is on view until July 9th. Started in 2006, the Project Room was initiated as a way of providing exhibition space to emerging artists. JAG recognizes the need to support and encourage young artists in exploring experimental art practice as there is a great shortage of such spaces in the visual arts. The Project Room is dedicated to showcasing works by deserving artists, who have not yet received critical acclaim but are beginning to show growth and commitment to their developing career.

Peter Mammes is the first artist to participate in the 2011 programme.  His show consists of an installation of drawings, 2D relief sculptures and paintings.  The conceptual framework of this show is based on his fascination for the philosophy and psychology of abnormality using images that are often seen as strange.  His search investigates images that he has found in books, on the Internet and in newspapers. He reassembles these images in collage drawings; relief sculptural images and reverse glass paintings.  While his drawing technique simulate medieval woodcuts and paintings, he juxtaposes old and modern imagery. He also uses the technique of layering, repetition and the use of symbols with an attempt to construct a conversation of an ideal harmony. In his artist's statement Mammes says, 'the work endeavors to distract the viewer from usually perceived normality.  The viewer is led by the work to question habitual assumptions about familiarity. Ironically, the body of work also comments on estrangement and rejection.'


Located on the corner of Klein and King George Streets in Joubert Park, right in the buzzing central business district of Johannesburg, the gallery comprises 15 exhibition halls and sculpture gardens. It houses collections of 17th century Dutch paintings, 18th and 19th century British and European art, 19th century South African works, a large contemporary collection of 20th century local and international art, and a print cabinet containing works from the 15th century to the present. The initial collection was put together by Sir Hugh Lane, and exhibited in London in 1910 before being brought to South Africa. Florence, Lady Phillips, an art collector and the wife of mining magnate Lionel Phillips, established the first gallery collection using funds donated by her husband. Lady Phillips donated her lace collection, and arranged for her husband to donate seven oils and a Rodin sculpture to the collection. Works by Rodin, Dante, Gabriel Rossetti, Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, Edgar Degas and Henry Moore grace the walls of gallery, while a comprehensive South African collection includes the works of Gerard Sekoto, Alexis Preller, Maud Sumner, Sydney Kumalo and Ezrom Legae. The Johannesburg Art Gallery is housed in a beautiful building designed by Edward Lutyens, who was also involved in the design and building of New Delhi.

The largest gallery on the sub-continent - with a collection larger than that of the SA National Art Gallery in Cape Town - it is a treasure trove in the midst of a bustling, vibrant city. The collection is large enough so that at any given time the gallery exhibits but 10% of its works, whilst the rest remain in storage. With generous sponsorship from large corporates and the City of Johannesburg, as well as a substantial trust fund, the gallery continually adds to its collection, which includes a number of artefacts. Visitors can also see antiques, sculptures, drawings, prints and laceworks, while the gallery also hosts regular temporary thematic or artefact displays. What is now known as Johannesburg Art Gallery was opened to the public in 1915, shortly after the start of the First World War. The gallery was extended during the 1940s with East-West wings along the South galleries according to the Lutyens' design. The present North facade and galleries were constructed during the 1986/7 extension. In recent years, the gallery has made a concerted effort to procure more art works by contemporary South African artists, including traditional African pieces like jewellery items in the form of necklaces and bracelets made of beads. Works made of rock, wood, tyre, wire, cement, clay, ceramic and bronze and metal have also been collected by the museum, treating visitors to the distinctive flavour of local artwork. Visit the gallery's website at ... http://www.joburg.org.za/culture/museums-galleries/jag

---

Click on logo below to add this article to your favorite Social Website ~