Norval Foundation reopens with solo exhibition from Georgina Gratrix

Curated by guest curator Liese van der Watt, The Reunion brings together 25 major artworks by Gratrix, completed between 2011 and 2020, and draws upon the holdings of the Homestead Collection, based at Norval Foundation, as well as loans from private lenders.

Georgina Gratrix

Reluctant Bride - 2018

Georgina Gratrix (born Mexico, 1982) is known for paintings that feature expressive, impasto brushwork and humorous yet uncomfortable distortions of figures, objects and landscapes filtered through a colour-saturated aesthetic. Portraits of family and friends, as well as art-world insiders and popular culture icons, appear alongside oversized still life paintings of impossibly exuberant bouquets and, to a lesser extent, verdant landscapes recalling the province of KwaZulu-Natal, where the artist grew up.

The new Norval Foundation and why we should care about South African art

Terry Levin  16 May 2018

Van der Watt’s understanding of South African art history is complemented by an awareness of global developments in the discipline, making her ideally positioned to reflect critically on Gratrix’s practice. Van der Watt taught art history at the University of Cape Town before moving to London, UK in 2007. She has published widely on contemporary art from Africa in peer-reviewed journals and books, visual art publications and online forums. This collaboration reaffirms Norval Foundation’s aim to be a platform where cultural practitioners with different understandings and backgrounds can interpret the cultural practices of the present and recent past.

The Appraisers - 2018

In light of the ongoing health crisis, an online public programme will accompany the exhibition over the course of its presentation with conversations and presentations taking place on digital platforms such as Instagram, YouTube and Zoom.

Only 20 people will be allowed into Gallery 1 at a time, where The Reunion will be on view. For the exhibition’s opening weekend, Saturday, 13 February and Sunday, 14 February 2021, visitors will be required to book timed slots - either in advance, on Norval Foundation’s website or at the front desk.

All the Birthdays Bouquet - 2016

Should government advice and wider health conditions change over the course of the exhibition, this decision will be reconsidered. The Reunion will be accompanied by a catalogue edited by chief curator Owen Martin and curator Khanya Mashabela, with a text by Van der Watt and an interview with the artist by Mashabela.

The Reunion appears alongside Alt and Omega: Jackson Hlungwani and iiNyanga Zonyaka: Athi-Patra Ruga.