Don't miss this exhibition at Strauss & Countil Fri, Mar 1. True Love is an incredible posthumous exhibition of 27 paintings produced by Johannesburg artist Alfred Thoba between 1981 and 2022 in the artist's heavily textured style. He used a chewed matchstick to whip up the paint as one would whip cream. The paintings are highly detailed and his style is so unique.
The exhibition, created by Kalashnikovv Gallerywith Strauss & Co, commemorates Thoba's 50-year career as an artist and includes a recreation of the self-taught artist's studio in Hillbrow where he died in 2023. It is something really special to see.
As Strauss & Co's head curator and senior art specialist, Wilhelm van Rensburg,explains, “After he passed away, the Kalashnikovv team visited his studio and documented the space, taking photos of everything. I think the reconstructed studio, with Thoba’s works-in-progress and personal items, will have a real impact on art historians and art lovers. We have the last painting he traced on the easel, for instance. It indicates his working process, and his practice, which is very important to be able to see.”
The exhibition also features a collection of hand-written letters by Thoba. Every work Thoba produced was accompanied by a hand-written text which explained the work and themes present.
GET THERE WITH GAUTRAIN
Strauss & Co is a short drive from the Rosebank Gautrain station. See our guide to the Gautrain here and download the Gautrain app for real-time updates on when the next Gautrain and Gautrain midi-bus is due. Visit www.gautrain.co.za for more information on the timetable and fares. #YourGautrainJourneyStartsHere
