Benjamin Botma
Ek teken nie soseer die landskap nie, maar ‘n post-apokaliptiese stilte. Deur die gebruik van kulturele omgewings en die spoor van die menslike aksie, word kommentaar gelewer op menslike optrede/handeling sonder om dit pertinent/direk uit te beeld. Die werke word oorheers deur die gebruik van die merk tipies aan die medium waarmee gewerk word. Die merkgebruik is funksioneer nie slegs op formele vlak nie, maar word deel van die inhoud van die werk deur die maak van die merk en die gevolgelike illusie wat daardeur ontstaan. Die werke beeld ontvolkte, beboude landskappe of leë ruimtes uit en het ‘n apokaliptiese kwaliteit.
——————— ENGLISH ———————
I don’t necessarily draw the landscape, but rather a post-apocalyptic silence. Through the use of cultural surroundings and the footprints of human actions I comment on human behavior without directly pointing it out. The work is dominated by marks typical to the medium used to create the work.The marks function not only on a formal level through the use of mark making and the resulting illusion. The works depict abandoned built-up landscapes of ruined emptiness.
Solo Exhibitions
2017 - Terugblik. Solo retrospective exhibition consisting of a selection of works in a variety of media throughout professional career. Oliewenhuis Art museum, Vrystaat Arts Festival
2010 - Heart. Solo Installation Work. Scaena theatre, University of the Free State, Volksblad Art Festival
2004 - Reflection/Refleksie. Solo exhibition consisting of 45 paintings and drawings, Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Bloemfontein.
2000 - Verskroeide Aarde. Solo exhibition consisting of 40 paintings and drawings, Volksblad Arts Festival, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein.
1999 - Oorskot. Solo exhibition consisting of 42 paintings, drawings and works in metal, Johannes Stegmann Art Gallery, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein.
Group Exhibitions
2014 - Karoo and Fracking. Group exhibition. Pretoria Art Museum and the reservoir Gallery, Pretoria and Bloemfontein.
2012 - Kwesbaar. Digital Print, Exhibition named Elemental, Arid Area Conference.
Dosis. Mixed Media, “100 Plates” – exhibition, Vryfees, Scaena Theater Gallery, July 2012.
2011 - Curated Process. a Group Exhibition, Centerary Gallery,Bloemfontein,July 2011
2009 - Allooi. Volksblad Art Festival, Scaena theater, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, July 2009.
Vrystaat Kontemporêr. Volksblad Art Festival, Johannes Stegman Art Gallery, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, July 2009.
Construct. Photographic exhibition exhibited in several cities in South-Africa.Centenary-gallery, UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE, Bloemfontein, Augustus 2009.
Original Lithography. Group exhibition exhibited in several cities in South-Africa. Centenary gallery, UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE, Bloemfontein, 2009.
2008 - Uit die palm van die land. Volksblad Art Festival, Scaena teater & Johannes Stegman Kunsgallery, Universiteit Vrystaat, Bloemfontein Julie 2007
Free State Contemporaries Exhibition. Die Volksblad Kunstefees, Johannes Stegman Art Gallery, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein July 2008
Reservoir Exhibition (Exhibition of artists affiliated with the Department of Fine Arts, University of the Free State). Reservoir, Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Bloemfontein, October 2008
Lecturers Exhibition. William Humphreys Art Gallery, Kimberley October 2008
2005 - Groepsuitstalling. Volksblad Kunstefees, Bloemfontein
2004 - The South African Landscape. A group exhibition, RAU-Gallery, Johannesburg.
2003 - Signed 2003. Group Exhibition, Old Arts Gallery, University of Pretoria.
Group Exhibition. Volksblad Arts Festival, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein.
2002 - University Printmaking Portfolio (universities en technicons in South-Africa).
2001 - Scorched Earth: An exhibition of paintings, drawings and metal work. Volksblad Arts Festival; Bloemfontein; July.
Lecturer’s Art: A group exhibition of drawings and paintings. Volksblad Arts festival; Bloemfontein; July.
2000 - Address-Redress. National Print Portfolio, Curated by Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Bloemfontein, February – April 2000.
Signatures: On Line Art Website.
Signatures: Mweb.com, September – October 2000, on line international (13000 visitors to site).
1999 - Group Exhibition: Perspective 25 Perspektief, Johannes Stegmann Art Gallery, UOFS, Bloemfontein. (Group exhibition of past students and lecturers over the past 25 years.)
Main Festival Exhibition for Aardklop National Arts Festival, Potchefstroom. Group exhibition of works by invited artists.
Group Exhibition. Free State Art, curated by Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Belgium Touring Exhibition.
Address-Redress National Print Portfolio. Curated by Oliewenhuis Art Museum. Exhibited at the Cultural Centre: East End in Belgium.
1998 - National Print Exchange: All Universities and Technicons in South Africa.
Printing Processes Explained. Johannes Stegmann Art Gallery, UOFS, Bloemfontein.
Contemporary OFS Art Exhibition. presented by ABSA and curated by Oliewenhuis Art Museum, ABSA Regional Head Office, Bloemfontein.
Group Exhibition. South African Exhibition at the Lisbon Expo ’98, Lisbon, Portugal.
1997 - Group Exhibition. (4 artists) at the Klein Karoo National Arts Festival, Oudtshoorn.
Light and Sound Collage. A multi-media performance, Slide and Animation Show, presented at the annual HappenArt Day on the campus of the University of the Orange Free State.
International Print Exchange. University of the Free State, Technicon Free State, University of Portsmouth (UK) and University of Virginia (USA).
1996 - Group Exhibition at the Klein Karoo National Arts Festival.
Staff Exhibition. Johannes Stegmann Art gallery, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein.
1995 - Selected Group Exhibition. Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Bloemfontein.
Group Exhibition. P.J. Olivier Art Center, Stellenbosch.
The Walls Sing. An Exhibition of Free State Artists curated by Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Grahamstown Art Festival, Grahamstown.
Art and Life. Group Exhibition, Johannes Stegmann Art Gallery, Free State University, Bloemfontein.
1994 - Staff Exhibition. Johannes Stegmann Art Gallery, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein.