Pascal Konan’s Solo Exhibition, Unfinished Symphony, At The Melrose Gallery Johannesburg
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Pascal Konan’s solo exhibition, Unfinished symphonyat Melrose Gallery February 8th to March 9th, 2025
Melrose Gallery proudly proposes Unfinished symphonya solo exhibition held by the renowned Ivorian artist Pascal Konan, curated by Mpumi Mayisa. From February 8 to March 9, 2025the exhibition provides poignant meditation on toughness, transformation and continuity through Konan’s mastery of a variety of materials and fragmented images.
pass Unfinished symphonyKonan explores the complex coexistence of tradition and modernity, reflecting the evolving narrative of African identity in an increasingly urbanized and globalized world. Konan draws from his life experience in Abidjan’s vibrant but unstable community, using a hybrid technology that uses denim, bleach, acrylic and Chinese ink as material and metaphor to publish a layered urban African life. Comment.
Each material and tool he chose brought a unique dynamic to his work, reflecting his desire to work with elements in the environment that spoke to him and inspired reflection. The interaction of denim and bleach produces subtle tones, from light to darkness. Meanwhile, acrylic and Chinese ink shape scattered human forms, evoking the complexity of contemporary African cities and dealing with themes of transformation and resilience.
Konan’s layered works show dance, fragmented corpses borrowed from contemporary dance and Renaissance portraits – a background that defies the sense of touch, texture. This interaction of movement and stillness captures the rhythmic choreography of the coexistence of the sacred and blasphemous life. The exhibition emphasizes the sanctity of mankind, as Konan’s works resonate with the spiritual background revealed by his Christian faith and musical sensitivity. The artist’s ability to express universal truth through African cosmology ensures that his work remains rooted globally.
Mpumi Mayisa’s curatorial approach reflects the profound existing problems of meditation proposed by Konan by Gauguin and Life itself: Where do we come from? What are we? Where are we going? These inquiries are visually and conceptually based on the artist’s belief in the eternal meaning of human life and the transformative potential of collective care.
“Pascal Konan’s work reveals all its instability and potential poetry,” notes curator Mpumi Mayisa. “Konan’s practice reflects a deep understanding of importance, in which case each element contributes to the dynamic energy of his work. His layered description of dance figures invites us to reflect on human interconnections and endurance The ability to renew and hope.”
As an artist who goes beyond geographical boundaries, Konan insists on creating universal resonant works. He deliberately used symbolic codes and accessible visual language to integrate the particularity of African urbanity with global audiences, proposing not only a criticism of contemporary social conditions but also an invitation to imagine a more harmonious future.
Join our Melrose Gallery, Melrose Arch in Johannesburg, opening Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 11:00 am.
About Pascal Konan
Pascal Konan was born in Abidjan on the Ivory Coast in 1979 and graduated from the National Academy of Fine Arts in Abidjan. He now teaches painting while actively practicing art. Konan’s work is rooted in the daily lives of Abidjan residents, making the vitality of African cities noble while witnessing their weakness. Konan draws inspiration from childhood and tries to understand the human soul through the rhythm of urban life. His work explores the themes of the interconnectedness of collective energy and humanity, which are often conveyed through dense abstract forms that elicit and introspection. Konan’s paintings are characterized by a compelling palette of red, yellow and black, whose textures and patterns oscillate between chaos and harmony. His mastery of narrative abstraction captures the complexity, balanced prosperity and equality of vulnerability in contemporary African life.
Unfinished symphony This proves that Conan’s vision for mankind is sacred and resilient. The exhibition invites audiences to participate in the eternal state of life, where the remnants of the past have the potential for tomorrow’s harmony.
About Melrose Gallery
Melrose Gallery is the main pan-African contemporary gallery in Johannesburg, South Africa. The gallery represents founding and emerging artists whose voices express important issues on the continent around the world. We are passionate about ensuring that elders who contribute to African contemporary art are recognized and continue to be heard. These inspiring and determined supporters are a thrilling young artist guard who has quickly risen from the continent and diaspora to build themselves around the globe. We have carried out a well-curated exhibition program to participate in respected art fairs, support many of our artists in Bienneals, and conceptualize and implement important non-commercial exhibitions in conjunction with major museums.
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