Guns & Rain

History, identity, hybridity and belonging are central themes in the printmaking of Bevan de Wet.  His art is a deconstructive archaeology of the dichotomy between the civilized self and the instinctive, untamed self, not only in human forms but also explored in objects, artifacts, fragments and tools.

 

Often arranged and displayed as collected items, these present sometimes false and non-linear historical trajectories. This fractured imagery also speaks to notions of displacement and belonging, evoking a sense of unease and disconnectedness which is particularly relevant to his own cultural history as a white South African.  De Wet studied Fine Art at Rhodes University, has worked with artists Gerhard Marx, Walter Oltmann and William Kentridge, and has exhibited extensively both in South Africa and internationally.  In 2017, de Wet’s solo exhibition New Forms was exhibited at the Candice Berman Gallery in Johannesburg. In August 2017, de Wet traveled to Ireland in August for the Cill Rialaig Artists Residency.

Exhibitions, Awards & Collections

Residencies

2017 Cill Rialaig Artists Residency (Ireland)

2015 Sylt Foundation Residency (Germany)

2014  Visiting Artist Program, Bag Factory (Johannesburg)

2013  Ampersand Foundation Residency (New York)

 

Awards 

2014  Arts & Culture Trust ImpACT Award for the Visual Arts

2014  ABSA L’Atelier Merit Award Winner

2012 Thami Mnyele Art on Paper Merit Award (Johannesburg)

 

Select Exhibitions

2017  New Forms: A Study of Broken Parallels, Candice Berman Gallery, Johannesburg

2017  International Printmaking Alliance Exhibition (touring), China

2016  Drawing Rooms, Guns & Rain (with City Soiree), Johannesburg

 

2014  Vestige: Solo exhibition, NIROX Foundation (Johannesburg)

2014  TWENTY: Contemporary Art from South Africa, Turchin Center for Visual Arts (North Carolina)

2014  South African Voices: A New Generation of Printmakers, Washington Printmakers Gallery (Washington DC)

2013  ZOO, NIROX Projects (Johannesburg)

2013  Masquerade, Montserrat College of Art (Massachusetts)

2013  Multiplied Art Fair, Christies Auction House (London)

2013  Bevan de Wet, Sandra & Philip Gordon Gallery, Boston Arts Academy (Boston)

2012  Coming of Age: 21 years of Artist Proof Studio, Johannesburg Art Gallery (Johannesburg)

2012  ABSA L’Atelier Art competition exhibition, Top 100 Finalists (Johannesburg)