Our Fathers Exhibition at the AVA Gallery

Explore the notion of patriarchy through this stimulating exhibition

AVA Gallery, in partnership with Spier wine estate, presents the thought-provoking and somewhat controversial exhibition, ‘Our Fathers’, until Friday, 21 September 2012.

Co-curated by Kirsty Cockerill and Chantal Louw, the exhibition broaches the idea of patriarchy as an emotional economy and as a system that still unequally allocates authority.

Featuring the works of 24 up-and-coming and established artists in various media, each artwork explores either specifically or consequentially the concept of what a father is, what a father represents and what a father should be. The exhibition delves into the challenges, memories and life-altering encounters with fathers, and more pointedly, it acts as a lens that focuses on the personal, social and political impact of a specific group of fathers - the fathers of the nation.

If you missed out on catching a glimpse of ‘The Spear’, ‘Our Fathers’ features the controversial painting ‘Umshini Wam’ (Weapon of Mass Destruction) by Ayanda Mabulu, a work that depicts President Jacob Zuma in traditional garb with his genitals exposed.  

For reasons unknown, the painting has yet to incite the same outcry that surrounded the exhibition of ‘The Spear’; it portrays the nation’s leader no less conservatively, and the social commentary provoked by the piece feels no less scathing.

The gallery’s operating times are from Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm and Saturdays from 10am to 1pm.

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