YOU HAVE MY WORD - a solo exhibition by Chris Auret
This is my first solo exhibition and rightfully a very personal one.
The show itself is separated into three linear parts: “Familiar Fools”, “Back to You; Back to Universe” and “Meeting My Maker”. 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 I’ve 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.
The exhibition comprises of photographs with hand-painted writings, paintings on canvas and glass, a video element, as well as abstract works – 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.
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.
I studied Visual Communication at Vega Brand School, Cape Town, where I completed a BA in Creative Brand Communications (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 “real” job and “risk” pouring my creative energy into my own projects, thus starting a career as an artist.
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 – 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.
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.
All the work for You Have My Word 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.
This is my first solo show. I can’t tell you how much of a liberating feeling this is for me. And it is only the beginning. Thank you.
For more info contact +27 (0)21 465 3551 | +27 (0)21 461 2329
