Rhodes University art students' exhibition impresses

The National Arts Festival has been home to a number of thought-provoking art exhibitions and installations over the years.

One of these has been the Fine Art Exhibition, put together by art students at Rhodes University.

The exhibition consists of work by first-, second-, third- and fourth-year students, and works range from oil on canvas to photography. Although there is no particular theme, there is a common thread, one of societal consciousness about our physical appearance.

One particularly moving piece is by third-year student, Refiloe Matsoso.

The piece, which consist of four photographs, is titled Her Conscious Conscience, a depiction of how the artist wants to picture herself in society, and not adopt society’s perspective on her.

Matsoso added a handwritten note to her work in which she writes: “Society, two conflicting worlds collide as one side fights for pure and the other screams superficial.”

Other interesting pieces include an oil on canvas series by Akissi Beukman, a third-year student.

Titled Mind Unconditional, the series looks at the mind and how it conditions itself to things taking place around it.

The paintings are done in shades of black and brown, with little use of bright colours.

There is also a beautiful image of a woman in a graduation cape that has been lasered on to a mat.

It was interesting to see a mat used in this particular art form.

There is also an installation by Lauren King, Bby-Grl.Gamez + Sxc.Gamez.

The installation comprises a desk, video games, female essentials and an ashtray.

This exhibition also runs alongside the District Six Commemoration Print Exchange.

This exhibition marks 50 years since District Six was declared a White Group Area under apartheid in 1966. Themed Remembering 60000 Forced Goodbyes, the

exhibition includes work by local and international artists, and is worth a viewing.

The exhibition runs for the duration of the festival.