Until September 15, the Norval Foundation invites visitors to discover the richness of South African art through the captivating exhibition “GROOT GAT”. Presented by Lady Skollie, winner of the Standard Bank Young Artist for Visual Art 2022, this artistic exhibition is a gateway to a dreamlike universe, both immersive and captivating.
Born in Cape Town in 1987 under the name Laura Windvogel, Lady Skollie evolves within the tumult of the new South Africa, confronting the challenges of her heritage as a woman of color growing up in a Cape Town community. Through “GROOT GAT”, her return to her roots, Lady Skollie pays vibrant homage to her San, Khoi and Griqua roots, imagining a fantasy world devoid of colonial influences, adorned with bold and vibrant rock drawings, preserved from the ravages of time and vandalism. The title of the exhibition, echoing Boesman’s Gat, a freshwater cave in Kimberley, also raises the question of the historical divide within Cape Town’s communities of color.
Through her exhibition “GROOT GAT”, the South African artist takes visitors on a fascinating visual journey into the complex narratives of the San, Griqua and Khoi peoples. Her paintings reveal profound explorations of identities and struggles to reclaim the lost history of Cape Town’s colorful community. Through her artistic alter ego, she boldly interrogates notions of dynamism in the South African landscape, identity and sexuality. Lady Skollie positions herself as a spokesperson, using humor as a lever for social change. She says: “I want to be a spokesperson. I’m that nasty Aunt SKOLLIE who says what you’re thinking but never admitted… making you say things with a bright, sunny disposition. Humor is a vehicle for social change.”
Celebrating her win of the prestigious Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Visual Art in 2022, “GROOT GAT” marks Lady Skollie‘s third exhibition. This cave, the exhibition’s central symbol, acquires new symbolic depth as the artist explores concepts of colorful identity and culture in a post-apartheid South Africa in search of artistic reappropriation and rebirth.
The exhibition at the Foundation Norval art space will feature 23 works by the contemporary artist, including four new creations. In her works, she skilfully uses the repetition of colors and patterns to evoke the ancient practices of the Khoi, San and Griqua peoples, highlighting the connection between the individual, nature and the spiritual world through the repetitive dances and rituals of these cultures. Lady Skollie also pays tribute to African artists, poets and activists in her work, drawing inspiration from their past contributions.
Lady Skollie’s creations confront viewers with essential questions about identity, belonging and often neglected aspects of history. Rather than avoiding these complex subjects, she actively encourages viewers to confront the uncomfortable and the unknown through her canvases. Her works prompt deep reflection on roots, personal aspirations and the construction of one’s identity in the contemporary world. By interacting with Lady Skollie’s art, viewers are invited to explore these complex issues and reflect on their place within the larger narrative of society.
Curated by Tayla Hollamby and Standard Bank Gallery, “Groot Gat” offers a captivating dive into the concepts of identity, belonging and cultural reappropriation in post-apartheid South Africa. Through her works, rich in color and repeated motifs, Lady Skollie invites us to explore the deep roots of the Khoi, San and Griqua peoples, while boldly confronting viewers with essential questions about history, identity and one’s place in contemporary society. By exposing these powerful narratives and encouraging deep reflection, Lady Skollie pushes us to embrace discomfort, embrace the unknown and reimagine our own personal narratives within a larger picture of South African diversity and resilience.
