Iziko South African National Gallery | Cape Town
In Like Father Like Son?, Churchill Madikida’s Standard Bank Young Artist award show, the artist explores the implications of growing up without a father. Family photos screened onto pillows lie on couches in a living room installation. Elsewhere, several monitors and large screens show testimonials given by family members, and Madikida himself. The work relies heavily on documentary techniques, but unlike a documentary, it offers no B-roll, no relief from talking heads. As in the past, Madikida sensitively probes the tensions between Xhosa tradition, deep emotion, and masculinity. But this courageous investigation risks getting lost in the information overload.
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