Eclectica Contemporary is excited to present Bad Posture, a group show that aims to sidestep the trap of traditional portraiture and leaps into the realm of unconventional, tongue in cheek, reflections. The common thread is that the artists are all born in 90’s, all have a sense of dystopian optimism and they are all from the African continent. This generation of artists are mostly politically progressive, as they are also known for their forward thinking stance on social issues, gender inequality, climate change, and sexual biases. Yes, quite an opinionated generation, that makes their worldview and how they translate it into art so fascinating. The participating artists are a community of engaged social stewards of our world, who are socially minded and independent thinkers. Conscious consumers who recognise their responsibility in shaping a future world view. It goes without saying that the art produced by this generation will be different, beauty and aesthetics are secondary to the message the artist feels compelled to express. Highbrow is low brow and instead attitude is the key to this new aesthetic.

“My work is a time machine, it takes the beholders to the past and allows them to envision the future from the present standpoint.” Nigerian born Samson Bakare, who recently got invited by Gucci to paint their newly released Bamboo 1947 bag designed by Alessandro Michelle. Lesego Seoketsa with her continuous Amacici series, which translates to ‘Earring’ in Zulu. Reem Aljeally, giving the viewers a taste of the life of a young female artist from Khartoum in Sudan, while Good Good Boy graces us with her dark humor and twitter activism with titles like #Britneyisfree. Rooted in Neo Expresssionism, the artist known as Bara Sketchbook stages his subjects in full color and renders them in a state that they are not classified by any social structure. Born in Rome, the Italian Egyptian artist Mosa One, translates his graffiti onto canvas, with universal imaginations of a global citizens, free of class bias and borders. Zenande Mtati was born and raised in Gompo township, Eastern Cape. His body of work – titled Ukubona Ikhaya (ways of seeing home) – is based on his experiences and memory, while being influenced by South African modernists like Sam Nhlengethwa and Dumile Feni. Participating artists include Prince Obasi, Bara Sketchbook, Samson Bakare, Ebuka Pascal Agudiegwu, Good Good Boy, Kagiso Reuben, Lesego Seoketsa, Mosa One, Reem Aljeally, Sandile Busuku, Zenande Mtati.

– Marli Odendaal