Steelwool And Other Paradoxes

Curated by Boitumelo Makousu and Denzo Nyathi

Steelwool and Other Paradoxes is an exhibition celebrating the journey through the multifaceted essence of womanhood, where strength meets fragility, tradition intertwines with innovation, and care manifests in countless forms; steelwool itself initially became emblematic of the unlikely coexistence of softness and hardness. Materiality therefore becomes a point of departure in thinking about gender within the exhibition, as it delves into the lives of women as they navigate the rich tapestry of cultural inheritance, legacy, and resilience.

With each offering, the artists are dually cited as vessels of and creators of knowledge. The works are contemporary glimpses into the various walks of life these women have traversed. Inevitably, contradictions and nuance emerge. The group exhibition format welcomes cacophony, and stands firm in the belief that something generative emerges from that noise. As such, the notion of a homogenous “womanhood” is scrubbed away, to reveal something more sincere.

Featuring artists: Dimakatso Mathopa, Emma Coppola, Keabetswe Seema, Lerato Lodi, Lungile Ngcobo, Mary Sibande, Nadine Mathenjwa, Olosa, Olwethu de Vos, Rirhandzu Makhubele, Sharlene Khan and Tinyiko Makwakwa. Book To View!