Nako at work

When working from my solitary studio at home, the dogs are my only colleagues. They are going about their business, as am I. They have almost everything taken care of for them, as do I.

The dogs are animals, driven by instinct, but they are also human, adapted to act as the perfect companions and we have methods by which we control them as we control our entire living environment to fit our needs.

The main characters in the paintings are the dog (Nako) and the pool cleaner. It is uncertain whether Nako is intrigued or afraid of the suburban monster lurking beneath the surface, whether he is driven by instinct, obligation or folly and it is uncertain who is invading whose space. As they constantly hinder each other from performing their daily duties, they have to find a way to co-exist in their brave new world.

The works show the perpetual play-fight between animal and machine, between work and leisure and between obligation and time.

Nako at peace

Nako at rest I

Nako on Duty I

Nako at Rest II

Nako at Play

Swimming Nako

Nako in Doubt

Nako by herself

Nako in Fear

Nako to be Brave

Joburg Spiderman

These works were exhibited at the Joburg Joburg Exhibition, Cornerhouse, Johannesburg CBD. Read more about the event here

In November 2013, there were numerous reports of a wild baboon on the loose in Johannesburg. The streetwise baboon, named Spiderman, was feared by many although he never caused any harm. He was a flaneur, adventurer and an outsider in a city that is as afraid of him as he was of it.

These are places that I perhaps would have visited if I were him.

Spiderman on Display

Spiderman at the Christian shop window

Spiderman on the roof