Marking Lady Skollie’s prestigious 2022 win of the Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Visual Art, this showcase displays not only her work but also sparks many a conversation around identity. Catch ‘GROOT GAT’ from 22 May until 15 September 2024 at the Norval Foundation.
‘GROOT GAT’ not only refers to Boesman’s Gat, a freshwater cave in Kimberley but also addresses the significant historical gap within the Cape Coloured communities. This cave, once a sacred well and fishing site for indigenous people, was later seized by colonisers. Lady Skollie intertwines this history with her personal narrative.
Picture: Supplied
Laura Windvogel, also known as Lady Skollie was born in 1987 in Cape Town. She experienced firsthand the complexities of the new South Africa within the Cape Coloured community. Embracing her adopted persona, Lady Skollie, she skillfully blends the ragamuffin essence traditionally associated with her community with the aristocratic connotations of ‘Lady’.
This fusion creates a unique lens through which she explores and confronts societal narratives.
In ‘GROOT GAT’, Lady Skollie crafts a fantastical realm filled with bold and vibrant figures reminiscent of ancient cave drawings. These figures, untouched by time and colonialism, serve as both homage and critique, inviting viewers to contemplate the obscured layers of history and identity.
By reclaiming and reimagining these narratives, Lady Skollie invites us to confront uncomfortable truths and overlooked histories.
Picture: Supplied
Through her art, she sparks conversation about origins, trajectories and self-identity, urging us to grapple with the intricacies of our identities and histories. The ‘GROOT GAT’ exhibition at Norval Foundation serves as a testament to the power of art in challenging the status quo and reclaiming narratives.
Lady Skollie’s bold and unapologetic approach invites viewers to journey beyond the surface, delving into the depths of heritage and memory. In a world rife with erasure and silencing, her work stands as a beacon of resilience and defiance.
As visitors traverse the exhibition space, they are confronted with Lady Skollie’s poignant exploration of the past, present and future. Each stroke of her brush, each vibrant hue, serves as a reminder of the richness and complexity of the human experience.
In the heart of Cape Town, amid the echoes of history and the vibrant pulse of contemporary culture, Lady Skollie’s ‘GROOT GAT’ exhibition beckons. It is not merely a display of artistic prowess but a profound meditation on identity, heritage and the power of reclaiming one’s narrative.
As visitors immerse themselves in the vivid tapestry of Lady Skollie’s creations, they are reminded of the indomitable spirit of human resilience and the boundless potential of art to illuminate, provoke and inspire.
Visit the Norval Foundation to view ‘GROOT GAT’ by Lady Skollie on display from 22 May to 15 September 2024. Beyond ‘GROOT GAT’, visitors have the opportunity to explore a diverse array of exhibitions showcasing the works of African artists, offering a multifaceted perspective on contemporary art from the continent.
Wander through the tranquil Sculpture Garden, where art seamlessly intertwines with nature, providing moments of reflection and inspiration.
Dedicated to showcasing African art, the Norval Foundation once again engages with local talent to provide a thrilling exhibition for art lovers.
For Norval Foundation tickets and memberships, click here.
For more information and other exhibition details, check out Norval Foundation’s website.
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Feature image: @ladyskollie / (Instagram)
A version of this article was first published in Cape {town} ETC.
