Contemporary South African Prints: DKW and I-Jusi
March 2 – April 16, 2011
It is with great pleasure that David Krut Projects presents Contemporary South African Prints: DKW and I-Jusi. This exhibition features recent prints from David Krut Print Workshop, including works by Deborah Bell, William Kentridge, David Koloane, Maja Maljevic, Colbert Mashile, Diane Victor, Gary Schneider, and Penny Siopis, in conjunction with I-Jusi magazine’s complete set of 25 issues and its recent limited edition print portfolio. This exhibition is inspired by the effect that visual symbols, design and fine art has had on post-apartheid South Africa. Both the experimental design magazine, I-Jusi, and the collaborative creative print shop, David Krut Workshop, are testaments to the fact that visual art and design operate as a universal language that can have immense impact on a diverse and burgeoning new democracy.
Established in Johannesburg in 2002, David Krut Workshop (DKW) provides professional printmaking facilities within a collaborative environment to emerging and established artists in South Africa. DKW produces print editions of high quality and concept, exceeding expectations in an increasingly global market while offering an experimental, creative atmosphere in which artists are encouraged to explore new forms of expression and develop new lines of dialogue. Inviting both emerging and established artists into the print shop, DKW produces work from a wide-range of voices grappling with issues of South African identity, culture and politics.
I-Jusi (roughly translated as “juice” in isiZulu) is an innovative graphics magazine, brought to life with the New South Africa in 1994, as a development of the question: “What makes me African?” Born of a desire to redefine the way South Africans viewed themselves, their country and their history, I-Jusi uses “Design Power” to address a range of topics from religion to race to politics to porn. As Garth Walker, the magazine’s founder, explains: I-Jusi considers the “visual language” of South Africa to be “our most powerful traditional weapon.” Self-published by graphic design artist Garth Walker, this legendary non-commercial magazine has been encouraging artists, designers, illustrators, photographers and writers to create in total freedom and to explore their personal views in a free and democratic South Africa for over 16 years.
In addition to showcasing all 25 I-Jusi magazines published to date, David Krut Projects in collaboration with Rooke Gallery in Johannesburg will also feature the recent I-Jusi Portfolio, a limited edition suite of 10 fine art lithographs from some of South Africa’s most influential artists and designers including Conrad Botes, David Goldblatt, Anton Kannemeyer, Pieter Hugo and Mikhael Subotzky.
For more information, please email [email protected].
