‘Twenty Journey’ at Commune.1
Until 3 September 2015, Commune.1 is exhibiting ‘Twenty Journey’, a showing of 45 photographs taken by three photographers over seven months as they travelled 24 000 km across South Africa in a motorhome. What an adventure! Curated by Khanyisile Mbongwa and featuring works by Sean Metelerkamp, Sipho Mpongo and Wikus de Wet, it is an exhibition that I as a South African am proud to have seen and supported.
In 2014, our country entered its twenty years of democracy. In the advent of this, Sean, Sipho and Wikus travelled 24 000 km throughout South Africa to feel the pulse of the country. Sipho focused on the ‘born frees’, the first generation growing up out of apartheid rule. He poses the question: will they allow themselves to be defined by the scars of apartheid, or will they embrace freedom, choice and opportunity? Wikus investigates the cultural, historical and commercial value of land and the relationship it has to the people who inhabit the space, while Sean explores ‘idiosyncrasies’ highlighting the absurdity of life in this magnificently puzzled country. He attempts to capture an unwilling moment, an unwarranted time and an unforgiving historical present.
This photographic exhibition is the result of the photographer’s search for the country’s pulse, the search for The New South Africa. It is a true testament to the people, land, culture and quirks of our country, a nation that we should all be extremely proud and honoured to live in.
Photography Bernard Myburgh Words Lisa Wallace
art, cape town, commune1, featured, photography, south africa
