YOU HAVE MY WORD - a solo exhibition by Chris Auret
Ā This is my first solo exhibition and rightfully a very personal one.
Ā The show itself is separated into three linear parts:Ā āFamiliar Foolsā,Ā āBack to You; Back to UniverseāĀ andĀ āMeeting My Makerā. Each of these chapters is a representation of my journey into the art world over the last three years; a place seemingly new to me since working in advertising for some time. The works are more conceptual in comparison to anything Iāve done in the past, which was a very deliberate decision as I began to take my pieces and their messages quite seriously. Throughout the experience of their creation, I unlocked something within myself I cannot quite describe and the show is a documentation of that process as best and as truthfully as I can possibly share with the public.
Ā The exhibition comprises of photographs with hand-painted writings, paintings on canvas and glass, a video element, as well as abstract works ā all touching on themes of self-discovery, what it means for me to be an artist, an exploration of the physical and spiritual worlds, as well as the conscious and subconscious mind and more. As a commitment to my creative practice I will be living in (not limited to) the gallery window throughout the duration of the show.
Ā I was born in Springs on 21 January 1988. Since then I have lived on a farm in George, before moving to Cape Town in 1999. I attended Rondebosch Boys Primary and High School, matriculating in 2006, under the artistic and influential guidance of Andrew Putter, Kevin Jenkins and Priska Newham.
Ā I studied Visual Communication at Vega Brand School, Cape Town, where I completed a BA in Creative Brand CommunicationsĀ (2007 - 2009). Leaving Vega, I found work as an art director at two separate advertising agencies over 2010 to 2011. At the end of 2011, just as I had officially moved into a friend-run studio called Everybody Love Everybody, I underwent an emergency stomach operation. It was during my time in hospital that I decided to leave my ārealā job and āriskāĀ pouring my creative energy into my own projects, thus starting a career as an artist.
Ā After selling work privately as well as through group shows, I realised the need to travel and at the same time, make money to take my new career seriously. This resulted in a trip to Spain, where I found a job on a yacht. Over a 10-month period (June 2012 ā April 2013), I would travel to places like Barcelona, Croatia, Gibraltar, Madeira and across the Atlantic to The Caribbean where I was based for 5 months.
Ā Upon my return to Cape Town I managed to continue where I left off, taking part in group shows and selling work privately. I also started painting murals for the first time, which strongly began to influence my work and my reasons for painting.
Ā All the work forĀ You Have My WordĀ has been compiled and completed this year in my room/studio within a magical house in Hout Bay, surrounded by the most amazing people I could imagine.
Ā This is my first solo show. I canāt tell you how much of a liberating feeling this is for me. And it is only the beginning. Thank you.
Ā For more info contact +27 (0)21 465 3551 | +27 (0)21 461 2329
