fried contemporary EXHIBITION

Johann Moolman, Recent work 

18 March - 8 April 2006

 
 
   
   
  

Moolman’s work sources both a rural, as well as an urban spirit and imagery, often juxtaposing the two or cross fertilizing different ideas to create new or unexpected transformations.

 

However the work transcends specific geographic concerns, i.e. social and political and rather attempts to function more directly within a basic universal and spiritual realm.  The body of work exhibited at Fried Contemporary Art Gallery frequently refers to archaeological and mythological source material.  More specifically, source material is derived from classic African art, Stone Age paintings and engravings, as well as signs and symbols observed in the industrial and electronic environment.  These references / influences are transformed and manifested within an awareness of the history of western art and the language of contemporary object art making.  Moolman’s work attempts to objectify unconscious experiences and to create a link with conscious knowledge of the present and past, alternatively attempt is made to awaken a collective unconscious or common collective memory.

 

Often the works allude to a place or site of ritual activity or the re-discovered remains of some past performed ritual.  Therefore the works are a focus on meditation through which it becomes a metaphorical vehicle wherein past or present mythology, imaginary or real, can be experienced.  Due to the emblematic nature of the work, emotional associations predominate over the experience of mere formal relationships.  The body of work to be exhibited is composed of freestanding, three-dimensional objects, wall mounted objects, as objects supported by wall and floor.  A diversity of methods and materials are used, including traditional drawing, and photography.

 
 
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