Disguise - The art of attracting and deflecting attention

Michael Stevenson is pleased to present Disguise: The art of attracting and deflecting attention. The exhibition marks the opening of the gallery's new premises in Woodstock, Cape Town, on Thursday 15 May, and the gallery's fifth birthday celebrations.

In popular culture, the archetypal disguise is Superman's pair of glasses, which turn him into Clark Kent. This particular case reveals something: often that which is disguised is hidden in plain view. Everyone familiar with the movies or comic strips has wondered, at some point, why Lois Lane does not recognise that her two love interests are one and the same.

The implications of outward appearance are amplified in the case of Africa and its diaspora because of the historical significance of skin colour. Perhaps as a result, there is a profound engagement with disguise in the work of many artists with links to the continent. Disguise brings together artists from South Africa, the continent and beyond who investigate the processes of attracting or, conversely, deflecting attention.

The exhibition explores threads of pageantry, trauma, drag, political pretence, fashion and stealth in the work of Yto Barrada, Zander Blom, Dineo Bopape, Wim Botha, Candice Breitz, Nick Cave, Steven Cohen, Rotimi Fani-Kayodé, Dumile Feni, David Goldblatt, Simon Gush, Pieter Hugo, Lunga Kama, Natasja Kensmil, Kalup Linzy, Julie Mehretu, Nandipha Mntambo, Zanele Muholi, Youssef Nabil, JD 'Okhai Ojeikere, Athi-Patra Ruga, Claudette Schreuders, Berni Searle, Yinka Shonibare and Penny Siopis. It features a range of media, including painting, sculpture, photography and video.

The exhibition is curated by Joost Bosland, also the curator of the side gallery project at Michael Stevenson which was introduced in 2007.

Disguise opens on Thursday 15 May from 6 to 8pm. Gallery hours are Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, and Saturday from 10am to 1pm.

Joost Bosland will give a free public walkabout of the exhibition on Saturday 17 May at 11am. All are welcome. There will also be a walkabout for the Friends of the National Gallery on Thursday 22 May at 11am.

Disguise
The art of attracting and deflecting attention
Kurator: Joost Bosland

Künstler: Yto Barrada, Zander Blom, Dineo Seshee Bopape, Wim Botha, Candice Breitz, Nick Cave, Steven Cohen, Rotimi Fani-Kayode, Dumile Feni, David Goldblatt, Simon Gush, Pieter Hugo, Lunga Kama, Natasja Kensmil, Kalup Linzy, Julie Mehretu, Nandipha Mntambo, Zanele Muholi, Youssef Nabil, J.D. Okhai Ojeikere, Athi-Patra Ruga, Claudette Schreuders, Berni Searle, Yinka Shonibare, Penny Siopis