DIEZEL. Artistic Statement

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Melinda Shields
5 years ago
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2 DIEZEL Artistic Statement With the AfroPop' Exhibition Diezel uses art to ask questions about South African Culture and the social and political situation in South Africa. The collection was done in an AfroPop style and the influence of the Pop Artists of the Sixties, such as Jean-MicheI Basquiat and Roy Lichtenstein is obvious in the works. Throughout the collection Diezel incorporates bright colours, scribbles and writing to comment on the 'high voltage' existence in Africa. The works include ideas about the complexities of a muiti-cuiturai existence within South African society, its history, the political situation and the varied belief systems of the different groups. Diezel uses symbols, scribbles and writing in most of the works to communicate ideas and the spirit of Africa. Stars are 'lucky', plus (+) signs are signs of hope and optimism and hearts represent a love of country. Colours and drips symboiize Iife 'experience' and how it influences the subjects view of the world. Diezel is a member of The Superstroke Art Movement, founded by fellow South African artist Conrad Bo. Superstroke was born in Africa and is symbolic of its energy, the good and the bad, bloodshed, corruption. oppression and pain, but also of beauty, optimism and hope. All Superstroke artists mark their works with plus signs (+)

3 Paf! 122cm x 142cm, Acrylic on Canvas Nothing is as it seems. Other powers are at work. A gun threatens, but in this case, is not the real cause of trouble. Diezel appropriates the image of Asterix to ask questions about the actions and interference of Western Countries in Africa and the pretences they hide behind. R

4 Hot Hot! 102cm x 138cm, Acrylic on Canvas Living in Africa is never bland. It is hot and spicy and dangerous. Diezel appropriated an image of Nando s Hot Peri Peri sauce, a jackal and some chickens to ask questions about the state of relations and being a South African. R

5 LIFE 87cm x 132cm, Acrylic on Canvas Life on the wild side often seems very slow, relaxed and harmless, but is it? R

6 Lamb 88cm x 137cm, Acrylic on Canvas The sacrificial Lamb/Land. In South Africa we call for Ubuntu/brotherhood and peace but are we prepared to sacrifice anything to achieve that? R

7 Innocence 120cm x 81cm, Acrylic on Canvas Every drip and colour in Diezel s paintings are symbolic of an experience. Our experiences make us who we are. We become our experiences. SOLD

8 High Voltage 140cm x 165cm, Acrylic on Canvas Energy high enough to inflict harm on living organisms. Conductors that carry high voltage needs particular safety requirements, much like Life in Africa. 10 milliamps (0.01 amp) is capable of producing painful to severe shock, currents from 100 ma (0.1 to 0.2 amp) can be lethal. R

9 Guard Dog 6 (Black & White) 139 x 139cm, Acrylic on Canvas Beware of the Dog! Protector of property and a member of the family. R

10 Cow 92cm x 136 cm, Acrylic on Canvas Cows have great memories and are very good at remembering and recognizing faces even after long periods of time. Cows are colour blind R

Calendar 5 136cm x 200cm, Acrylic on Canvas 23 Years of Border war between South Africa and South West African People s Organisation (SWAPO) left its

11 Calendar 5 136cm x 200cm, Acrylic on Canvas 23 Years of Border war between South Africa and South West African People s Organisation (SWAPO) left its mark on the people of the Land. SWAPO fought for Namibian Independence while South African soldiers believed it was a fight against Communism. R

12 Danger! 136cm x 88cm, Acrylic on Canvas In this work Diezel comments on Life in Africa There are always dangers lurking in the water R

13 Half Dog 110cm x 110cm, Acrylic on Canvas A guard dog is a dog used to guard against, and watch for unwanted or unexpected people or animals. A protector of family members and property. R24 000

14 Drip Dog 80cm x 120cm, Acrylic on Canvas In Africa people keep dogs mostly as guard dogs to watch and protect their property and families. The colours and drips refers to experiences and that dogs are layered and intelligent. R

15 Haughty Dog 120cm x 100cm, Acrylic on canvas Very proud, snobbish, a little arrogant with a big attitude. All the ideal characteristics to make an excellent guard dog. R

16 Guard Dog 7 120cm x 80cm Acrylic on canvas Highly alert and energetic protector and guard dog. R

17 Supermandela 132cm x 181cm, Acrylic on Canvas Diezel appropriated the image of Superman to make a statement on the strength of Nelson Mandela s character and if his wish of reconciliation of different people and cultures in South Africa will be fulfilled? R

18 Amandla! Acrylic on Canvas Amandla Ngawhetu means 'Power to the People. This is what Nelson Mandela was hoping and fighting for. With this work Diezel is asking questions about how power to the people was realised and how the Governments that followed Mandela gave power to the people? SOLD

Portrait of Mandela 136cm x 166cm Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, also known as Madiba, was a South African antiapartheid revolutionary, political leader, and philanthropist who served as

19 Portrait of Mandela 136cm x 166cm Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, also known as Madiba, was a South African antiapartheid revolutionary, political leader, and philanthropist who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living Nelson Mandela R

20 Krakk! 132cm x 178cm, Acrylic on canvas Mayibuye means, literally, "let it return" = Let Africa return. The word Krakk suggests that something is breaking free or is starting to crack all references to the events in South Africa in R

21 Lucky Star 150cm x 134cm In this work, the artist grapples with the contrasts and complexities of Africa. It contains elements of the past Obelix was appropriated to represent Europeans who arrived in South Africa more than 370 years ago. It contains elements of the present the appropriated logo of Lucky Star; and elements of the future a crocodile that is slowly entering the picture (or is it not?) Obelix is cheering for Orlando Pirates in the spirit of Ubuntu/brotherhood. We are one - all part of each other. SOLD

22 Sharp Sharp! 141cm x 137cm Walk on the wild side. A depiction of a day in Johannesburg. Taxi s, sharply dressed people, Nikes, Adidas and danger. The stars are lucky, everything is Numba One and plus signs are symbols of hope and optimism. As the youngest continent in the world, with 60% of Africa's population under 25, there is hope that with youth on its side, Africa may rise again - Mayibuye Africa R

23 Bang! 120cm x 104cm, Acrylic on Canvas A gun in the foreground is not the cause of the explosion in the background. Nothing is what it seems. R (Boom! & Bang! as a Diptych - Total R )

24 Boom! 120cm x 91cm, Acrylic on Canvas Boom! follows up on another painting named Bang! In Boom! peaceful protesters are running away from an explosion. While we all hope and wish for peace, are we prepared to give anything up for it? R

25 Boom! & Bang! as a Diptych R

Paf! 122cm x 142cm, Acrylic on Canvas

Paf! 122cm x 142cm, Acrylic on Canvas Nothing is as it seems. Other powers are at work. A gun threatens, but in this case, is not the real cause of trouble. Diezel appropriates the image of Asterix to