implicit art

Pardon me for gushing, but Richard Smith’Äôs exhibition that opened at Constitution Hill Wednesday night, was a highlight for me. Andre Naude and I both walked away with the same word: inspiring, to say the least! Spanning over three of the rooms in the prison, the historical loadedness of the space also complemented the show’Äôs theme in every way. Robyn Sassen opened with a sensible and short speech.

I have learnt a new word: pedimento. Apparently, this is what the art technique of erasing to the bare surface, is called. I could not locate the word in on-line dictionaries, though. Anyone out there to help?

I was pleasantly surprised by Smith’Äôs works.. So totally different from what I expected. The large scale charcoal works with painted ’Äòspeech bubbles’Äô collaged onto the finished surfaces filled one room, while figures bulky in stature eluding some kind of vulnerability and raw emotional connotation can be found in the next.

I hope this becomes a permanent exhibition space. Quite a number of artists are going to stand in line for this!