Goodman Gallery is pleased to present ‘Irapuru’, a group exhibition highlighting practices that articulate beauty within contexts of sociopolitical complexity and struggle. The title for the exhibition is taken from Laura Lima’s large-scale textile work; which explores Brazilian mythology, nature and the transformation of materials over time. In Brazilian folklore ‘Irapuru’ is a magical red bird seen as a symbol of happiness, hope and longing connected to the legend of a young indigenous man who was cursed by a tribe chief for being in love with his daughter. Significantly ‘Irarupu’ also refers to a municipality in the state of São Paulo with complex socioeconomic conditions. With these combined references, the exhibition explores the concept of beauty emerging from struggle and Lima’s work is the springboard to connecting a range of recent works by artists hailing from the Continent and Diaspora.
Misheck Masamvu (b. 1980, Penhalonga, Zimbabwe) explores and comments on the socio-political setting of post-independence Zimbabwe, and draws attention to the impact of economic policies that sustain political mayhem. Masamvu raises questions and ideas around the state of ‘being’ and the preservation of dignity. His practice encompasses drawing, painting and sculpture. Clive van den Berg (b. 1956, Zambia) has had several solo exhibitions in South Africa and abroad. His public projects include the artworks for landmark Northern Cape Legislature and museum projects for the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Constitution Hill, Freedom Park, the Workers Museum, The Holocaust and Genocide Centre.
Kapwani Kiwanga (b. Hamilton, Canada) received the Prix Marcel Duchamp (FR) in 2020. She was also the winner of the Frieze Artist Award (USA) and the annual Sobey Art Award (CA) in 2018. Kiwanga’s solo exhibitions include Esker Foundation, Calgary (CA); Tramway, Glasgow International (UK); Power Plant, Toronto (CA) and Logan Center for the Arts, Chicago (USA). Featured artists include El Anatsui, David Goldblatt, William Kentridge, Yinka Shonibare CBE RA and Atta Kwami. The exhibition opens on the 28th of August and will run until the 28th of September 2024 in London.
