Eric Rantisi

Eric Rantisi ( 1981 - ) was born in Johannesburg and holds a B-Tech Degree in Fine and Applied Arts from the Tshwane University of Technology. 

He works in oil paints, exploring the politics of identity and representation. His paintings reference history and current affairs to explore identity formation and dominant discourses on identity.

Eric’s work for this exhibition explores art censorship and the complexity around the topic. “In the paintings, I use public monuments as a symbol for art in general,” he says. “I am interested in the intricacy and subjectivity of the international art censorship conversation. Globally gallerists, curators and other art stakeholders ask questions that pertain to art censorship: what is appropriate to show in museums, galleries and in the public domain? Should art be viewed by the general public when it is opposing contemporary representations of gender and race, or should art that is seen as offensive be excluded from art exhibitions and from the public domain?”

Eric has participated in various local exhibitions and has been selected for a range of art competitions, including the ABSA L’Atelier, Sasol New Signatures and PPC Cement Young Concrete Sculptors Awards.