Tracey Rose show to rock Zeitz Mocaa

REFLECTING on varied exorcist and cleansing rituals, the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz Mocaa) in Cape Town yesterday announced an exhibition and programming schedule for Shooting Down Babylon, a largescale retrospective exhibition by South African multimedia artist Tracey Rose.

Derived from the title of Rose’s iconic installation Shooting Down Babylon (The Art of War) (2016), the retrospective will interrogate themes including repatriation, recompense and reckoning, and epitomises the wide-ranging medium and concerns prevalent in Rose’s practice.

The body of work is also an investigation around post-apartheid legacies and liberation movements, and uses the body – often Rose’s own body – as a site for protest, outrage, resistance and pertinent discourse.

“Few artists have the genius and thematic agility that South African-born Tracey Rose has.

She is able to probe pertinent issues in ways that are sometimes satirical, paradoxical and multifarious, all at the same time,” said Koyo Kouoh, executive director and chief curator at Zeitz Mocaa.

“Her versatility in medium and material dexterity is evidenced through her bold performative practice, immersive installation, video, photography, sculpture, painting and drawing.”

Born in Durban in 1974, Rose holds a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts from Wits University in Johannesburg, and a Master’s degree in Fine Art from Goldsmiths College, University of London in the UK.

She was also trained in editing and cinematography at the South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance in Johannesburg.

Assistant curator Tandazani Dhlakama said: “Shooting Down Babylon will be Rose’s largest comprehensive retrospective to date. It’s important to celebrate the work of black women artists from the continent, and to acknowledge the immense contributions they are making to contemporary art discourse.

“Through this exhibition, visitors will be able to gain in-depth insight into three decades of Rose’s practice.

“The themes in the exhibition, which stem from postcolonial entanglements, are relevant to our present times. Rose’s work highlights her critical vision and social commentary.”

Shooting Down Babylon by Tracey Rose will open on February 18 on levels 0, 2 and 3 of the Zeitz Mocaa.

Zeitz Mocaa will also host a two-day symposium centred on Rose’s work in June, which will mark the launch of an extensive monograph on Rose’s practice.

The 400-page publication will include contributions from Adrienne Edwards, Kellie Jones, Gabi Ngcobo, Khwezi Gule, Simon Njami and more, and will expand on significant themes in Rose’s work such as absurdity, religion, spirituality, gender and sexuality, race, and the body.

Due to the graphic content, which some viewers may find disturbing, viewer discretion is advised.

This exhibition is not recommended for persons younger than 16.