The world of the artist is a strange one: from the ordered to the chaotic and the spontaneous to the rigorously planned, every artist has their own way of creating. Central to the process is the space in which the creativity occurs, which is why the head curator of Everard Read, Gina Molle, asked 50 artists to share their interpretations of their workspaces with the public for the group show, Inner Sanctum.
The focus of the brief was the how and the where of every artist's creative process, and each was given the space and freedom to explore this brief in their own way. "We hoped they'd interpret the brief in whatever way they saw fit – whether it was capturing a moment in a sunlit corner, creating an homage to the endless coffees drunk in a day, or a sculpture that speaks to the frustration of making," says Molle.
To make the exhibition easier to navigate, Inner Sanctum is divided into five themes: Objects of Reflection: Still Life and Studio Artifacts, Looking Inside: Emotions and the Spiritual Journey, Echoes of Self: Muses, Inspiration, and Self-Portraits, Creative Sanctuaries: The Artist’s Workspace, and Through the Artist's Eyes: Views Beyond the Studio.
While Everard Read usually only exhibits the work of the gallery's signed artists, this is one of the few occasions when outside artists have been invited to join. "If looking at an artwork offers the viewer a glimpse into an artist’s thinking, a visit to their studio is like stepping through a portal that reveals endless facets of the mind," Molle says.
To step into the world of some of South Africa's most talented artists, join Everard Read in Rosebank for the opening of Inner Sanctum on Wed, Nov 13 at 17:30. The exhibition runs until Wed, Dec 20.