Burst: all things bright & beautiful, an exhibition of paintings, drawings and assemblages

Same voice, new song

Rogge’s first exhibition in South Africa after returning from a 30-year stint in Namibia, where she has enjoyed an illustrious career in the arts.

Having made time to work on her art almost consistently for the past year has yielded fresh new work, described by a longtime colleague as: ‘same voice, new song”.

The exhibition title alludes to new beginnings as well as the shadow self, with its tendency for self negation.

Some of the themes familiar in Rogge’s previous work still linger here – gender violence and the representation of female sexuality – but there is growing evidence of a shift of focus in the new work which is more gentle and contemplative in nature.

Rogge’s work has always been imbued with power and meaning, and which in the words of one reviewer, “never fails to touch and move you”. The works that have been specially curated for this exhibition showcase the dexterity of the artist in the form of traditional paintings and drawings as well as assemblages using various materials. Rogge salvages materials and upcycles objects into interesting sculptural forms. Most striking is the tall iconic piece incorporating wood, stone and found objects titled ‘#bringbackourgirls’ with reference to the recent abduction of over 200 Nigerian schoolgirls by Boko Haram.

The diverse content of the works extends to reflection on the phenomenon of the male selfie and encompasses a new series inspired by the mountains of the Kogelberg and the surrounding fynbos of the artist’s home in the Overberg.

Here we see an artist in transition, personally, stylistically and conceptually. She invites you to witness her bursting.