Art Rotterdam '24: Raffael Bader, Johanna Bath, Ioanna Limniou, Mongezi Ncaphayi

The artists writes: 'In my paintings, which are largely characterized by landscape, I consider my view of a world full of tensions while these hold the world together. I pursue a nature that consists of all natural things and elements that surround us, as well as us humans as part of this nature. I understand nature as a chaotic ground that strives for harmony. 

Most of the paintings start with "notes", which are small simple drawings that arise intuitively, then I decide whether I want to paint them. When I start with these drawings, the painting quickly takes on a life of its own. I paint with oil paint and oil pencils on canvas. I use a medium that makes the oil paint water-miscible, so I can create very thin watery layers as well as thicker ones. In conjunction with the oil pencils, I can create different textures. It is important to me that the canvas does not appear to be completely covered in paint. I also work with different techniques on paper.’

‘I am madly in love with life, with the wonder it holds, the blissful moments, even the heartbreak, the hurt, the loss - because I am so aware that every moment is a singular sensation and won’t come back. I am pushing myself to be aware of every second passing, paying attention to even the most insignificant things that add up to be (my) life.'

Limniou masterfully weaves a tapestry that seamlessly intertwines historical context with the contemporary, resulting in a space that evokes an almost timeless aura. This effect is akin to the enduring qualities of the figures and landscapes she captures. With every meticulously placed brushstroke and thoughtfully composed canvas, she gracefully ushers us into a dimension where time itself becomes an instrument, harmonizing with the cadence of her artistic vision. In this realm, figures and landscapes are transmuted into eternal echoes, resonating with our collective experiences and memories. Her body of work is a testament to the enduring and unwavering power of artistic expression, offering an earnest and profound invitation to embark on a transformative journey into the very essence of creativity.

Mongezi Ncaphayi was born in 1983 in South Africa, where he currently lives and works in Cape Town. His artistic contributions play an essential role in today's contemporary art scene, presenting a distinctive perspective that enriches global creative conversations. Employing the wet-on-wet method, Ncaphayi crafts mesmerizing artworks, harnessing a semi-structured approach that gives rise to intricate, rhythmic interplays of painterly expressions. This technique imparts his paintings with a distinct texture and fluidity, resulting in harmoniously blended colors that captivate the eye.

Ncaphayi pursued a Professional Printmaking Course at Artist Proof Studio in 2008 following his Diploma in Art and Design from Ekurhuleni East College-Benoni in 2005. In 2012, he received a Certificate in Advanced Studies from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts. Notably, Ncaphayi was awarded the prestigious Absa L'atelier Gerard Sekoto Award in 2013, and completed his artist-in-residency project at the Thami Mnyele Foundation Residency in Amsterdam, Netherlands, in 2016. His achievements were recognized the following year when he received funding from the Prince Claus Fund in Amsterdam, Netherlands.