Overview
Join us for this special event for Wolfson’s latest art exhibition ‘Feel the Rhythm’, where artist Fungai Benhura will be in conversation with Brian Griffiths RA, a Senior Lecturer at the Royal Academy Schools.
Fungai Benhura is a visual artist whose work is made up of multiple layers of different materials. Each layer is very important as it represents history that's being buried and rediscovered. Benhura’s work questions the notion of being at a stage of creation or destruction.
Picture any building being constructed and completed only to be destroyed to reveal the various materials that have been used in the process of it being erected. The end product unveils a painting that has a character and personality of its own. The artworks are created through a hands-on process involving accumulation, painting and removal. They effortlessly shift between abstraction and figuration while prioritising the ornate, textured, and detailed.
This process of constructing and deconstructing means that the painting is being reconstructed into something else, more like in archaeological restoration.
The choice of materials tends to be indiscriminate thereby making the experience of the build-up to the painting process an exciting one. Benhura usually gathers whatever materials are available including cut outs of posters, paper, tissue paper, Indian ink, oil pastels, metal panels, beer cans, coffee sacks or anything else to utilise. The paintings have a playful quality and don’t quite reveal everything that’s in them. Benhura hopes that this deliberate ploy gives an enduring viewing experience as seemingly new things appear.
These paintings have a powerful ability to associate; they suggest palimpsests, changing architecture, archaeological restoration, and the reconstruction of histories. Benhura’s artworks arrive through repeatedly being buried and rediscovered, destroyed and recreated, and it is through this approach the painting practice develops its own distinct character.
Event timings
17.30 - Exhibition viewing
18.00 - Fungai Benhura in conversation with Brian Griffiths RA
18.30 - Drinks reception
Details
This event is open to all and is free to attend - please .
Access
This event will take place in the Combination Room on the first floor of our main building. It has step-free access with a lift and there is an accessible toilet located on the first floor of the building.
Â鶹ËÞÉáµçÊÓ¾ç Â鶹ËÞÉáµçÊÓ¾çexhibitions
Â鶹ËÞÉáµçÊÓ¾çhas an established art exhibitions programme which has showcased the work of both renowned international artists and innovative emerging artists with the aim of stimulating reflection, discussion and debate.
You can find out more about exhibitions at Â鶹ËÞÉáµçÊÓ¾çon the Arts page.
