By Nangamso Mabindla
4 August 2004

THE Address Redress collaborative Print Collection, which has recently been on exhibition in top galleries around the country, is now on show at East London's Ann Bryant Gallery.

Initiated by Oliewenhuis Art Museum and Tinus Boshoff, a lecturer in printmaking at the Free State Technikon, the exhibition boasts a range of brilliant printworks from some of the country's top artists who demonstrate the negative impact of woman abuse.

The exhibition opened in the Coach House at the Ann Bryant Gallery on Thursday, 29July and runs until Thursday, 12 August, after which it will be moved to the gallery's Main House to join the permanent collection.

According to the gallery's curator Leon du Preez, the concept of the collection was to exchange original graphic works among participating printmakers, galleries and museums.

"This project not only gives printmakers an opportunity to exchange works, but also provides an opportunity for the national art museums to expand their print collections," he said.

One of the artists on display is the late Nhlanhla Xaba. "His work is brilliant - his piece 'Emzi Mhlope Soweto' is really moving," said Du Preez.

Xaba's piece depicts two views: a kitchen interior in a township house and a machine-like device symbolising the year 2000 and the computer age. Xaba's message is that, despite the age of sophisticated technology, township people still live, eat and sleep and share matchbox houses.

Xaba, who won the Standard Bank Young Artist Award at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival in 1998, died in a fire in a community-based printmaking studio in Johannesburg last year.

Other renowned and award-winning artists featured are Diane Victor, Bev Samler and Lisa van Wyk.

In her work 'In the Re-Dressing Rooms', Victor plays with the concept of social expectations and image. Using a humorous tone, she shows the difficulty of fitting into a traditionally restrictive costume, and into the skin of another.

Using an old printed floppy disc in her piece 'Food for thought', Van Wyk attempts to understand technological developments in South Africa. With new inventions and the constant updating of computers, there is a need to reflect on and account for the necessary developments of progression, Van Wyk says of her work.

Explaining the print, Van Wyk says: "The disc takes the place of a dinner plate directing the viewer's attention to the hollow void it creates. One must be made aware of this technological progression and create a balance between the 'organic' and the 'synthetic'."

To complement the exhibition, the gallery will host an extensive display on printing techniques and methods, as well as an exciting printing project launch.

For more information about the gallery and future exhibitions phone 043 722 4044, e-mail annbryant@interkom.co.za or visit the gallery at St Marks Road, Southernwood, East London.

The gallery is open Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm. On Saturdays and public holidays it is open from 9am to 12pm, but it is closed on Christmas Day, Good Friday, New Year's Day, Freedom Day, Workers' Day and Youth Day. It is closed on Sundays.