Department of Cultural Affairs

The large-scale solo exhibition of South African contemporary artist William Kentridge in Taiwan will be held at the Taipei Fine Arts Museum (TFAM) from May 4 to September 1. The exhibition is a collaborative effort between TFAM and the Royal Academy of Arts in London. Jointly curated by Adrian Locke and Chao-Ying Wu (吳昭瑩), the exhibition brings together curators from both institutions to recreate the TFAM’s opening exhibition in 2022, offering a comprehensive view of Kentridge’s prolific creative journey spanning over 40 years.

“William Kentridge”, Storyboard Notes Exhibition (樣板戲札記展) Photo

The curatorial context delves into Kentridge’s sketch creations, with an exhibition area divided into ten sub-themes: Early Sketches (早期素描), Sketch Projections: Soho Shorts (素描投影：蘇荷短片), Sketch Projections: Sketches (素描投影：素描), Colonial Landscapes (殖民地景), Studio (工作室), Ubu Tells Truth (烏布說實話), Flowers (花), Storyboard Notes (樣板戲札記), Trees (樹), and Female Prophets (女先知). 

Over 90 representative works from the 1980s to the present will be on display including early charcoal sketches and stills from the sketch projection series, experimental video installations, stage performances, props, and recent large-scale creations such as trees and flowers using ink and charcoal, enabling visitors to witness his creative journey and aesthetic dimensions.

The works on display in this exhibition are renowned for their intense narrative poetry and rich media vocabulary, spanning historical archives, maps, film, novels, drama, dance, poetry collections, and music. They transcend weighty issues through poetic translations, exploring poignant real-world issues in South Africa such as race, society, and politics. The works also deftly examine historical power dynamics and exploitation through metaphorical and symbolic poetic spaces, delving into questions of justice and freedom.

William Kentridge, “The Skin’s Sweet Smell” (將希望託付給不確定), 2021, Indian ink, watercolor, handmade linen paper, coarse cotton cloth mounting, 373 × 187 cm. Private Collection, London. Image provided by the artist.

Notably, the exhibition was designed by a team headed by stage and exhibition designer Sabine Theunissen, who has collaborated closely with Kentridge for many years. The team carefully selected a diverse range of natural materials to highlight the artist’s rustic creative essence. This collaboration has created a dramatic atmosphere where artworks interact with elements of the environment, enhancing the visual experience of the exhibition space with agility and strength.

Starting from June 4, the first-floor corridor will also host Open Studio (畫室開放中) public educational activities. These activities extend the themes of Kentridge’s works, including bottle flowers (瓶花), tree scenes (樹景), and title collages (標題拼貼). The public is invited to “draw on the spot,” and summer workshops with on-site teaching assistants will be scheduled, allowing audiences to enjoy the direct perception of both lines and things. 

Information on public activities and related merchandise will be announced during the exhibition period. For details and updates on the activities, visit the TFAM website or follow the TFAM Facebook fan page.

“William Kentridge” group photo: Jun-Jieh Wang (王俊傑), TFAM Director, and curator Adrian Locke (from left to right).

Artist Profile

William Kentridge was born in 1955 in Johannesburg, South Africa, to prominent human rights lawyer parents. After graduating with a degree in Political Science and African Studies from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg in 1976, Kentridge pursued further studies at the Johannesburg Contemporary Art Foundation for two years.

In 1981, Kentridge went to École internationale de théâtre Jacques Lecoq in Paris to study mime and theater. Upon returning to Johannesburg, he continued his work in theater while also focusing on art creation, including a series of etchings and rubber stamp prints, large charcoal drawings, and short films. South Africa’s history of apartheid drew international condemnation down on the country, but following the end of apartheid policies in the late 1980s, Kentridge’s work gained recognition outside South Africa. Since the 1990s, his artworks and stage productions have been widely exhibited in museums, galleries, theaters, and opera houses worldwide.

Although drawing has been Kentridge’s primary medium, he continues to produce prints, sculptures, tapestries, and films, and also engages in theater productions and lectures. His theater work has expanded to include collaborations with opera directors, composers, and performers on opera productions.

In 2016, he established the Centre for the Less Good Idea in the Maboneng precinct of Johannesburg, a space for creative experimentation hosting two seasons of activities each year. Over 500 artists have participated and created over 100 works. Kentridge currently resides in Johannesburg, where he continues to create art.

▍William Kentridge

Date | May 4 to September 1

Location | Taipei Fine Arts Museum, Gallery 1A 1B