‘Traces In The Still Air’ delves into the themes of memory and grief, revealing how they shape our identities. At the heart of the exhibition is an installation featuring 33 swings – each representing a year of Lerato’s life. Suspended from the roof, these swings serve as a symbols of life’s journey and the intertwined nature of memory and loss.
The worn tires, marked by age and use, evoke nostalgia and the passage of time, inviting reflections on childhood and joy. Broken glasses, symbolising the pain and challenges we encounter in life.This exhibition invites viewers to explore the delicate balance between the fragility of memory and the permanence of loss, offering a contemplative space to engage with the emotions tied to grief, nostalgia, and the inevitable passage of time.
Lerato Motaung, (born 1991, Germiston, South Africa), lives and works in Johannesburg, South Africa. Holding a National Diploma in Fine Art from Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria in 2015. He is recognised for his exploration of cultural identity, personal experiences, and recollections through the presentation of visual narratives. Utilising various media, including painting and sculpture, Motaung intricately examines human life and the interplay between individual and collective stories. His work is characterised by a manipulation of colour combinations, compositions, and materials to convey the intricate network of cultural identities.
Notable projects in Motaung’s career include being a finalist in the Sasol New Signature Awards hosted by the Pretoria Art Museum in 2021 and participating in the artist residency program “Our Africa, Our Future” in Senegal in 2022, hosted by the African Union. His group exhibitions span internationally, including showcases at esteemed venues such as Motaung/Seakamela at the Pretoria Art Museum (2023), ‘The Playground’ at Haart Gallery, London (2023), and ‘Africa Now’ at THK Gallery, Cologne (2022), among others.
Motaung’s achievements include winning The Emergence Art Prize in August 2020, organised by THK Gallery with support from Rand Merchant Bank. Additionally, he undertook a two-month residency at the Quartier am Hafen Studio House in Cologne, Germany, in spring 2022. His work has been acquired by notable collections worldwide, including two large paintings at Christie’s from 1-54 Paris, acquired by Foundation H (Paris, Madagascar), a large-scale painting for a planned museum in Cardiff, Wales, and two paintings in the Africa First Collection. Lerato Motaung’s artistic journey continues to captivate audiences and leave a lasting impression on the global art scene.
The installation will be on view from the 5th of October until the 2nd of November, 2024.
