The South African artist William Kentridge Hon RA was born in Johannesburg in 1955 and lives and works there to this day. He is internationally renowned for the expressionism of his work in numerous media, among them charcoal, printmaking, sculpture and film, as well as his acclaimed theatrical and operatic productions. As elusive as it is allusive, Kentridge's art is shaped by apartheid and grounded in the politics of the post-partheid era, and in science, literature and history, while always maintaining space for contradiction and uncertainty.
In a brilliant exposition of Kentridge's work, Stephen Clingman, Distinguished Professor of English at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, undertakes a series of enquiries, of walks around the artist and his practice, through the various layers and linkages, crossings and connections of his art. As he proceeds, he considers Kentridge's themes, explores them and moves by association to others. Along the way, overlaps, thought-collages, allusions and assemblages come together to create a connective, dimensional way of thinking inspired by Kentridge's own habits of creation.
The exhibition catalogue includes 12 Augmented Reality experiences, accessible via An Art App and featuring excerpts from Kentridge’s films. This immersive approach provides viewers to bring howe the interactive encounter to deepen their connection to the wonder and emotion evoked by the artist's charcoal lines and enigmatic surfaces. Scan the QR code on the cover to instal An Art App. Aim at the images marked with the symbol inside the catalogue to begin your journey of astonishment. Learn more at www.anartcompany.com
Contents
Director's Forword
Jun-Jieh Wang / Director of Taipei Fine Arts Museum
Curator's Forword
Adrian Locke / Curator
WILLIAM KENTRIDGE: LIBERATING VISION
Stephen Clingman
SIX MEDITATIONS
Stephen Clingman
1 DRAWN THROUGH TIME
2 THE ENIGMAS OF SOHO
3 SHADOWS OF THE PAST, SHADOWS OF THE PRESENT
4 DUALITIES, OR HOW I DID NOT BECOME
5 TIMESPACES, OR TWO DANCERS
6 CODA. VANISHINGS
THE CENTRE FOR THE LESS GOOD IDEA
Adrian Locke
CHRONOLOGY
Rose Thompson
Endnotes
Bibliography and Sources
Exhibiton Checklist
Lenders to the Exhibition
Photographic Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements
Index
Director's Foreword
William Kentridge is an internationally acclaimed and highly respected contemporary artist from South Africa. His vast knowledge and unique background enable him to create intriguing and thought-provoking artworks through simple drawing. In recent years, his exceptional artistic talent and insightful perspective have led him to engage with artistic vocabularies across various disciplines culminating in a breathtaking oeuvre of profoundly moving and impactful masterpieces.
This exhibition marks the first-ever partnership between the museum and the Royal Academy of Arts in the UK to present a comprehensive exploration of William Kentridge's artistic journey spanning over 40 years. This exhibition, the largest solo exhibition of the artist ever held in Taiwan, aims to provide a close encounter with Kentridge's rich artistic universe, offering them a deeper understanding of South Africa, the spiritual homeland that nourishes his creative roots, along with the history and land of that nation.
The museum has long sought the opportunity to organize an exhibition featuring William Kentridge's work, and we are delighted that this exhibition has finally come to fruition. We are deeply grateful for William Kentridge's tremendous trust in and support for the museum. His studio team has provided invaluable assistance and guidance throughout the process. I would like to extend special thanks to the curator of this exhibition, Adrian Locke, from the Royal Academy of Arts, whose efforts, over several months have made this exhibition possible in Taipei.
The exhibition originated from the exhibition of the same name that premiered at the Royal Academy of Arts in London in September 2022. By March 2023, when the museum decided to reconfigure this project in Taipei, the loans from the RA exhibition had been returned to the owners. This was undoubtedly a challenging process. Here, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to Rebecca Salter, President, and Chief Executive Axel Rüger of the Royal Academy of Arts, along with their exceptional team. Under the coordination of Adrian Locke, colleagues from the RA, leveraging their expertise and their network built from previous exhibitions, have established seamless collaboration with the museum. This collaboration had enabled us to re-create the structure and narrative of the exhibition in less than a year.
William Kentridge's unique artistic temperament often allows his works to ingeniously integrate a rich artistic vocabulary, drawing inspiration from various fields such as music, dance, film, theatre, and stage design, in works woven with intricate and compelling charm. His long-time collaboration with designer Sabine Theunissen has shown his interests in fusing a theatrical dimension into the gallery space. This exhibition is no different, benefiting from the designer's keen eye for texture, form, and colour. The subtle dialogue between the artworks and the spaces in the exhibition deserves close attention from the audience.
In addition, I would like to express my special thanks to Professor Stephen Clingman. His profound knowledge and articulate discourse not only make for captivating reading but also mark a significant milestone in the study of William Kentridge. We are very privileged to publish this traditional Chinese edition which not only caters to a vast readership admiring Kentridge's art but also adds a depth of discussion to the Chinese-speaking world where there is a scarcity of relevant literature.
Finally, we would extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to this remarkable exhibition, with particular thanks to the museum's exhibition team. Their perseverance and dedication have made this exhibition a reality. After months of efforts, the museum is proud to present this extraordinary William Kentridge exhibition to the audience in Taiwan. We hope that this exhibition will not only lead our viewers to experience the profound empathy of the artist towards life, history, and culture but also to understand the power of his artistic expression.
Jun-Jieh Wang
Director of Taipei Fine Arts Museum
Sources: Taipei Fine Arts Museum
ISBN: 9786267381656
Publish: 2024-04
Publisher: Taipei Fine Arts Museum
Language: Chinese．English
Cover: Hardcover
Pages: 272
Size：22 x 29 cm
