KZNSA Gallery | Romancing the Stone

Romancing the Stone: Reframing Identity and Power in Art

The ‘Romancing the Stone’ exhibition, part of the Arts Research Kaleidoscope, delves into the complex relationship between humanity and stone in South African visual culture.

Throughout history, stone has served as a medium, metaphor, and artifact, often shaping narratives and ideologies. From seemingly immovable ideas to the monumental art canon, stone carries weight and influence. Yet, as Monet poignantly noted, ‘Everything changes, even stone,’ highlighting the potential for transformation and the need to challenge established perspectives.

This exhibition, particularly relevant to KwaZulu Natal's rich rock art legacy, explores various ‘hard places’ within South African art through diverse artistic voices. But beware the alluring title: ‘romancing the stone’ also serves as a cautionary note, Cultural, gendered, and fetishized lenses can obscure complex realities, masking new identities and hindering true understanding.