Africa Now: Contemporary Painters

As with a superimposition, Dagnogo tries to invent and re-enchant a contemporary mythology that emphasizes domestic paradoxes and the contradictions of a world both more civilized and more violent, more respectful and less tolerant, which makes him react with brushstrokes.

His practice centres around the transitory nature of our awareness, depicting the individual’s emotional and mental states – as well as larger patterns of social behaviour – while attempting to capture his own state of mind.

Drawing on a rich pool of artistic references — from David Hockney to Alex Katz — he weaves elements of fantasy into the suburban vernacular.

While the intangible is present, Motaung situates his works in the corporeal world. He says, “My work is situated in an unknown time and is influenced by the past and the present”.

History and the proof of life are the core concepts in her work. Where there has rarely prior been reference of life in black spirituality, she counters that narrative by creating two dimensional paintings to embody the simplicity and deep spiritual power of the native eye. Her motivation is both tender and protective of her imaginary world, and her symbolic view of how her world looks into an alternate universe. She is set on creating both a photographic and graphic experience, that morphs and shapeshifts into a higher dimensional plane.