The Ipopeng Project based in the North West Province has produced an intercultural collaborative exhibition titled Under Cover: Revelations – Editions.

“The current tension and diverging statements in art challenges us to re-evaluate our personal criteria in the composing of visual concepts,” explains Brigitte Hertell, one of the artists involved. “Each artist’s individual work can only affirm itself in the wider context of concurrent developments. Accordingly, we initiated a project where the various alternating expressions are tied into a common voice.”

The title Under Cover is linked to the exhibition’s umbrella concept because of the various connotations associated with the article in terms of protection and cover. Also, in African, Oriental and Latin-American countries, the umbrella has been used as an important ceremonial object conveying authority and status. “This reflection evokes multiple aspects about our physical and mental condition: cross migration, the “shielding” of heritage and environment, cultural and socio-political settlements, trans-orientation; the revealing of past and present in the light of future expectations; a “nouveau depart”,” adds Brigitte.

Joining South African artists Lambert Moraloki, Anthony Makou, Rudolph Tshie, Brigitte Hertell and Moses Mohoroe in this exhibition are Ioannis Lassithlotakis (Greece), Maureen Bell (United Kingdom), Luis Arias Vera (Peru), Ivan Sagito (Indonesia) and Voti Thebe (Zimbabwe).

Under Cover will be on show in the BAT Centre’s Menzi Mcunu Gallery from April 1 to May 28.

The Durban Art Gallery is currently hosting another Ipopeng Project exhibition titled “Nations Alphabets” which runs until April 30 and features artworks created interactively by approximately 100 youngsters from various youth care centres in different provinces of South Africa.