This week, the Cape Town-based art gallery Nel will open a new solo exhibition of the contemporary African artist Juria Le Roux. The gallery is widely known for presenting a wide range of voices in the contemporary art world, especially those who challenge the existing agenda and offer their auteur methods for comprehending reality.
Skemer: Juria Le Roux’s New Solo Exhibition
Juria Le Roux is an internationally acclaimed artist and jeweler of Zimbabwean origin. She used to live and work in South Africa, Europe, and the USA and is currently fascinated with exploring ecological and socio-political themes in her paintings.
Le Roux likes to include images of water and fire in her work, as she believes in the mythical and pervasive power of these natural elements. Her 2022 painting, Message, for example, depicts a plastic bottle drifting in the open sea, and her 2021 work, Mammon, features an oil mining platform set on fire in the open water.
“Skemer,” this year’s exhibition by Juria Le Roux, is also filled with many metaphorical and thought-provoking works that examine the intricate relationship between people and the planet. One of them, the 2024 painting titled Now I Am Become Death, the Destroyer of the Worlds, features a tree-like explosion that the viewers may interpret as the destructive power of humans. Another interesting work on display at Nel this fall is the 2024 Onomstootlik II, which depicts a man with his head inserted into the water and a swirling tornado next to him.
Nel Gallery’s Latest Highlights
Why is Nel so popular among art connoisseurs? This artistic hub in Cape Town dedicates much attention to the creative work of talented artists of African origin to increase their visibility and give them a desired place in both African and international art spaces. One of the latest highlights at the gallery was a solo exhibition of Oupa Sibeko, a well-known mixed-media artist.
Another interesting exhibition was held at Nel last October, introducing the local visitors to the people-less landscapes by Madeleine van Manen, a Cape Town artist with a unique approach to cityscape creation.
The forthcoming solo exhibition by Juria Le Roux is fully consistent with Nel’s philosophy and approach to art curation. Everybody interested in African art with a unique touch should schedule a visit to the gallery this fall. Fine Art Shippers sincerely recommends viewing Juria Le Roux’s exhibition, which will be on view at Nel’s location at 117 Long Street from August 31 to October 10, 2024.
Photo courtesy of Nel