ARCHIEF
HOMELAND / THUISLAND
Ruimte: ZaalKUNSTENAARS
DAPHNE PREVOO
(Eindhoven, Nederland, 1970)
Daphne Prevoo
'Homeland / Thuisland'
Daphne Prevoo (Eindhoven 1970) woont en werkt afwisselend in Londen en Swaziland (Afrika). De tentoonstelling 'Homeland/Thuisland' in DE nederlandsche CACAOFABRIEK in Helmond is haar eerste solotentoonstelling in Nederland sinds haar vertrek in 1992. De afgelopen tien jaar was zij vaak op reis in Zuid Afrika. De reizen hadden invloed op haar werk en thema's; de grote contrasten in cultuur en welstand in Afrikaanse landen en het ervaren van deze verschillen leidden tot gevoelens van onrust en persoonlijk streven om gegeven, historisch bepaalde grenzen en definities van identiteit te verleggen.
De opening van de expositie in DE nederlandsche CACAOFABRIEK is zondag 16 mei om 15.00 uur. De tentoonstelling duurt t/m zondag 6 juni. Open van woensdag t/m zondag van 13 tot 17 uur.
Van 8 t/m 16 mei is werk van Daphne Prevoo tevens te zien op 'Kunstvlaai5' in de Westergasfabriek, Amsterdam. Opening zaterdag 8 mei om 15.00 uur.
Daphne Prevoo Press-release
Daphne Prevoo (Eindhoven 1970) has spent much of the last 10 years travelling in Southern Africa. These journeys have fuelled her art practice and the subject matter of the 'un placed'. The contrast of cultures and wealth in African countries is large and a personal and emotional turmoil is very often the result from experiencing these differences. She is probing and pushing the existing boundaries of identity that has historically been set by society.
The exhibition 'Homeland/Thuisland' at the Nederlandsche Cacaofabriek in Helmond is Prevoo's first solo-show in the Netherlands since leaving the country in 1992. She is the prodigal daughter returning 'home' and this exhibition is exploring the confusion surrounding issues of identity.
Daphne's work investigates issues of placement and displacement. She studies the confusion about a sense of belonging be it physical, geographical or sexual. She works both in 2 dimensions (drawing, print) and 3 dimensions (object based installations and film) This non-committal attitude to processes emphasise the subject matter of her 'un-belonging'.
Within her work there is a preoccupation with objects of demarcation. Fences and cages are returning elements in her work symbolising a search for personal confines. Fencing as a demarcation of boundaries and security from intrusion and privacy, used to protect and to 'keep safe' but also it can be considered as an infringement on freedom and a limitation of boundaries, whether physical or spiritual. She is interested in the philosophical juxtaposition of these two opposite meanings on the same subject. The work questions the issues of safety and fear, but also the false sense of security.
Other returning elements are the signifying symbol of the chair as the disembodied occupant and the 'clothing' pieces which are both placed in the 'uncanny'. There is an instant recognition however we are left with a feeling of discomfort. This is the connection to entering foreign cultures, recognising rituals and traditions within, however not being able to place it. I.e. Culture shock. The gallery space allows the chair as the disembodied occupant to act in a diplomatic role, between the private space of the home to the public space of the gallery.
Daphne Prevoo is a Dutch artist living and working in London and Swaziland (Africa). After her degree in Fine Art from Central St. Martins (1994) she continued to do her Masters in Fine Art at the Royal college of Art (1996) Between 1998 and 2003 she held a senior lecturer post at the Surrey Institute college of art and design, running a sculpture department. Since 2003 she is a senior lecturer at the University of East London. Daphne has shown her work in Europe, Africa and Asia in group- and solo shows.
