Dan RAKGOATHE
"Mystery of Space", 1975 - original linocut 2/50 - 45x54 cm
PELMAMA Register AAMC DRAK 75/01
Work acquired in 1990 by
Johannesburg Art Gallery, Johannesburg
as part of the original PELMAMA Permanent Art Collection
Provenance:
The Haenggi Foundation Inc., Johannesburg
Gallery 21, Johannesburg
Work exhibited:
Gallery 21, Johannesburg - Dan Rakgoathe Retrospective Exhibition 1968-1989 ("Behold the mystic sign") (90 works) - 1989
Johannesburg Art Gallery, Johannesburg - 1988 (The Neglected Tradition: Towards a New History of South African Art (1930-1988))
Johannesburg Art Gallery 1990 (VITA Art Now 1989)
Work listed:
Gallery 21, Johannesburg - Dan Rakgoathe Retrospective Exhibition 1989, cat. 28
Work illustrated:
Fort Hare Papers, Vol. 7, No. 2, Oct. 1980 - p. 105, Pl. 1
Johannesburg Art Gallery exhibition "The Neglected Tradition: Towards a New History of South African Art (1930-1988)" - cat. p. 82, ill
Johannesburg Art Gallery 1990 (VITA Art Now 1989) cat., p. 37
Legend (per Fort Hare Papers):
"Mystery of Space is dominated by a single figure, suspended in space against a web-like shape which in turn is suspended upon a cosmoscape consisting of concentric circles and spreading rays. The lower half of the figure is a beast-like image which broadens to a base and which is connected with tendrils, not only to the top half of the figure, but also to the web-like shape against which the figure is suspended, as well as the cosmic landscape on which all is superimposed. It is almost as if this figure emerges from cosmic space signifying not only the holistic totality and unity of the cosmos but especially man's dependence on the cosmos as source of his life, and his being as an inseparable part thereof. There is the illusion of great depth and an almost spiral receding of space. The immensity of space is emphasised in this picture."
This page last updated 5th January, 2015