Bitterkomix is South Africa’s only independent satirical comic magazine. Since its inception in 1992 Bitterkomix has vehemently attacked white South African ideology, in particular that of the Afrikaner. The comic magazine is originally in Afrikaans and has had a significant cultural impact in South Africa. It has been described as iconoclastic and subversive, and has to date spawned one of very few publications (Gif: Afrikaner Sekskomix) to get banned after the first democratic elections in April 1994. The success of Bitterkomix lies primarily in the recognisable visual idiom and biting comment, often crossing the line of that which is considered common social and moral decency.

Anton Kannemeyer (Joe Dog) and Conrad Botes (Konradski) are co-editors and the main contributors of Bitterkomix. A regular contributor, Mark Kannemeyer (Lorcan White) will also participate in the exhibition. The exhibition will show original artworks from the magazine and the artists’ sketchbooks, colour works, recent silk-screens and glass paintings. Sue Williamson, in a recent review on Bitterkomix (exhibition at the AVA in Cape Town), described the work as “extremely reasonably priced, and [that it] will undoubtedly become collector’s items over the years.”

Bitterkomix 11, their new publication, will be launched at the opening on June 19 at 18h00. The exhibition will run until July 7.