March 13, 2021 - March 27, 2022
The exhibition Word Woes is a retrospective of works spanning the duration of Willem Boshoff’s artistic practice. The exhibition title, taken from a signature work by Boshoff, is understood in English and in Afrikaans. In either language the two words look identical, but their meanings differ sharply. Read in English, the title WORD WOES bemoans difficult issues around words and language. Read in Afrikaans, the same words liberate, prompting us to let go and be wild.
Boshoff’s concern is often with the context in which we receive language and the power it yields to exclude or to privilege. As an artist working with words, Boshoff uses unconventional tactics to challenge the use of language as an instrument of cultural identity or exclusion. He describes all his works, whether sculptural or graphic, as conceptual books.
Curated by Hélène Smuts. Co sponsors: the Claire and Eduardo Villa Will Trust and the Matthias and Gervanne Leridon Collection.
A supporting educational and public programme offers guided tours, school/ student workshops, printed educational resources and weekend events with invited guests.