History, memory, Joburg in a unique visual language
BRAAMFONTEIN - The experience of Johannesburg and the spaces that shape its inhabitants have been Louise Ross' focal point since her arrival here several years ago.
In Memory Game, her first solo exhibition to be held at Ithuba Arts Gallery, Ross explores history, memory and the city through a series of abstract watercolours.
In her quest to articulate her observations through a process of repetition, elimination and painting, Ross developed a unique visual language.
This young artist constructs and deconstructs narratives in her paintings that bear witness to her fascination with change, relationships, routine, group consciousness, and nostalgia.
Gallery director, Lavendhri Arumugam said Ross painted from photographs taken as she travelled through the city.
“She employs a process of chance, exploring what the camera does and does not notice,” said Arumugam.
“The camera highlights the things we’ve never seen, even though we pass them daily,” added Ross.
“It has potential to unveil new ways of seeing the city.”
Arumugam said Ross endeavoured to maintain a “perpetual process of forging and re-forging new pathways to confront the blueprint of the city”, how this blueprint is influenced by past and present, and how this informs Joburg’s future.
“We are delighted to support Ross’ solo show at [our] gallery. Her work is constantly evolving, and this new body of work gives a promising direction in her practice,” she said.
Ross, born in 1984, completed a Bachelor’s degree in fine art at the University of the Witwatersrand in 2007.
She has participated in numerous group exhibitions, worked as the gallery manager of the Brodie/Stevenson gallery, and co-founded Newtown-based collaborative artists’ organisation, Assemblage.
Memory Game is her first solo exhibition.
Memory Game will run from 10 until 31 July at Ithuba Arts Gallery, 100 Juta Street, Braamfontein.
Details: www.artsithuba.co.za; info@artsithuba.co.za
