Visiting Odette Graskie's exhibition feels like entering a sacred space, as the interplay of natural light and shadow enhances the storytelling, making each piece feel alive.
Situated on Jan Smuts Avenue, just a short drive from the Rosebank district, Berman Contemporary at 223 Creative Hub hosts Graskie's solo. The journey begins with a climb up the building's striking red staircase, leading to a setting defined by neutral white and grey walls.
A quick survey of the inviting space reveals that the placement of the artworks is decidedly intentional. Some make use of the balance of light and shadow afforded by careful positioning, other works subtly change shape in response to gentle breezes flowing in and out of the room.
Aside from the nearby hum of cars from the busy road outside, there was complete silence in the room. Fortunately, we picked a weekday, so we had the space to ourselves. It took a couple of walkabouts to fully digest the message posed by the artworks, but we figured that that's the point – the idea of art being subjective; art being enigmatic.
What's key about Side Quest is the emphasis on you, the viewer, and your feelings towards and connection with the work laid out before you. Among all the faces, expressions, and interactions around you, it's difficult to not think back on your own personal interactions with others.
Seemingly fleeting moments of human connection and interaction, which often have a lasting impact on us, are central to Graskie's art-making practice. Based in Joburg, she's been working as an artist since 2016, with many accomplishments to date – including artist residencies in Guernsey and Poland. Graskie is currently completing her MA in Visual Arts at the University of Johannesburg. To us, this exhibition epitomises her visual exploration.
Graskie's work, using paper and thread, redefines traditional portraiture, which in essence refers to capturing the likeness of an individual in a way that clearly depicts the mood, expression, and personality of the subject. Her sculptures and thread-drawn portraits seem alive, affected as they are by atmospheric shifts in the gallery space, with changing light through the large windows and the movement of air. This interplay creates an intimate environment, with each work whispering secrets just for you.
What makes Side Quest so captivating is the way Graskie's pieces hold the spirit of her Drawing Sessions, where sitters become both muses and participants. "During the Drawing Sessions, I invite the audience to take part in my portraiture drawing practice. A performative drawing event as a visual art form questions ideas of agency, trust, conventions of portraiture, and the relationship through eye contact with strangers," says the artist.
Through cutting, sewing, and tearing these drawings and assembling them into sculptural works that are more than the sum of their parts, Graskie captures the vulnerability and intimacy of these shared experiences. One standout piece is a large, flowing sheet of paper stitched with intricate threads mimicking human expression – fragile yet resilient, it almost feels like it casts dancing shadows that evoke the echoes of conversation and shared laughter.
It's difficult to separate yourself from the art that hangs around as you walk through the exhibition and feel the subtle pull of memories and emotions woven into each piece. Paper becomes more than just a medium; in Graskie's hands, it's a vessel holding traces of touch and voice. The result is an experience that invites you to reflect on the connections we share.
Side Quest is an exploration of what lies beneath our everyday interactions, a call to be more considerate in these, and more conscious of how they fit into our broader understandings of life itself. Graskie's meticulous craft and emotive storytelling draw you in, creating a moment when the artist's journey becomes intertwined with your own reflections.
If you're looking for art that hits on a deeper and more personal level, this solo is highly recommended. Curated by Shenaz Mahomed, Side Quest shows at Berman Contemporary at 223 Jan Smuts Creative Hub until Sun, Jan 26, 2025. For insights from the artist herself, join a walkabout led by Graskie on Sat, Nov 30. Follow @223jansmuts_creativehub on Instagram for more details.
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