Beyond the subject - between the intentional and the accidental ”

The title of the exhibition draws reference to the creative process an artist undergoes in creating a narrative. More specifically Benon’s self-imposed and ongoing challenge in the choice of technique. Although the subject matter remains fundamental, the exhibition attempts to steer the viewer’s gaze of Benon’s work towards the question of how the work comes to life.

In creating, Benon uses the materials at his disposal – from discarded paper to plastic telephone cards as palette knives and everything in between - to guide the concept and subject matter, which in turn always stems from the artist’s personal experiences.

The selected works present new and ongoing thematics in Benon’s ouvre: From his signature collaged portraits of street children to the sole use of acrylics in his search of movement while depicting the animal form. Layer upon layer, is the signature technique of Lutaaya’s work. He says: “I still want to tell the story of the person or the subject matter….yet something new comes from the play…from organizing the mess into form”.

The exhibition also marks the 1st year anniversary since the inception of ROOM and the launch of the initiative’s commitment to supporting - over and above its activities - charitable causes and art related projects, with proceeds from every exhibition. Both ROOM and the artist have committed that funds generated from this exhibition will be donated to the Twilight Children Charity in Hillbrow. For more information on the organisation please visit www.twilightchildren.co.za

Exhibition Details:

Beyond the Subject : Exhibition Opening: Wednesday, 21 November at 18h00

Address: ROOM, Space No3, 70 Juta Street Precinct cnr De Beer Street



ABOUT THE ARTIST

Benon Lutaaya is a Ugandan artist born 1985. He presently works and lives in Johannesburg, South Africa. He holds a BFA with Education from the Kyambogo University in Kampala, Uganda. He started his professional career in 2009 as a collage artist. And only started to paint in 2011 on a residency programme at the Bag Factory.

Benon is one of the most improving and sought-after young artists within the Joburg art scene. His skills are widely becoming recognized and appreciated. He donated R75,000.00 from the sale of his own record breaking painting 'Portrait of a Young Boy' at a charity auction (October 2012) to Dolous Care Center in Johannesburg that takes care of the ill and terminally HIV/AIDS positive children.

He has been actively involved in a number of art projects in the Johannesburg City, including the Ithuba Arts Fund, and Display projects both of which resulted into exhibitions that sold out on the opening nights.

Benon has participated in number of group art exhibitions in Uganda, South Africa and Europe. His paintings are present in a variety of private collections in South Africa, and overseas, and most recently in the Ellerman's Contemporary public art collection in Cape Town.

He featured at the Joburg Art Fair (2012), a winner of the Lovell Gallery Juried artists competition in Cape Town (2012), was one of the guest artists at the Thupelo International Artists Workshop in Johannesburg (2012), a recipient of Ithuba Arts Fund grant (2011), International Resident Artist at the Bag Factory (2011) and finalist of the BBC World Service “MyWorld” documentary global competition, London (2010).

His work has been featured in a number of media including the Mail and Guardian newspaper(2012), International Focus Country report magazine (2012), Kolaj Magazine in Canada (2012), Collagista in France (2011), African Elegant magazine in Uganda (2011), and on broadcasting media as the BBC World Service TV in London (2010), SABC3 (2011) and Summit TV (2011).