Cap 1 – Alison Grosch
cap 2 – Alison Grosch’s William Kentridge inspired artwork.
An art student will have to wait a little while longer to see her work displayed at the Zeitz Mocaa Museum after the exhibition was postponed in light of the coronavirus.
Alison Grosch, a grade 11 pupil at Groote Schuur High School’s work was selected to be part of the Peter Clarke Arts Centre’s William Kentridge inspired exhibition – which would have taken place on Friday March 20.
And while she was excited for her family and friends to see her work on such a big platform, Alison said she understood the severity of the coronavirus and that everyone needed to play their part to help curb the spread.
Alison from Zeekoeivlei took an interest in art in grade 4 but only started focusing on it in grade 8, when she started at the Peter Clarke Art Centre in Newlands.
“In the beginning I wasn’t quite sure which field of art I wanted to go into. There were three streams in art that I was interested in, but I felt attracted to design. Staying on this path helped me develop an interest for it,” she said.
Alison became involved with the art centre through her school, where the centre offers art it as a subject to pupils from grade 8 all the way up to matric.
“I did it in grade 8 and 9 as an extra subject and when it was time to choose our subjects in grade 10, I decided to continue with design.”
Her design class went on an excursion to the Zeitz Mocaa Museum earlier this year, where they were tasked with creating an art focusing on the struggles of today’s society based off William Kentridge’s – a South African artist, specialising in panelled discussion and black ink and paint – designs.
“When we completed our pieces, representatives of the museum came to our art school and choose a few artworks in the design group from grade 11 and 12. I was delighted to find out that my artwork was chosen and it was going to be exhibited at the museum in honour of Mr Kentridge’s work,” said Alison.
Speaking on her artwork and its message, Alison said: “The artwork I created is to focus people’s attention on rhino poaching and the greed of man. It shows a silhouette of a rhino with its horn broken off. Underneath the rhino’s feet, there is blood dripping down, spelling out a message ‘Help Save The Rhino’. Right at the bottom there’s people and flames which represents the dangers that can affect the animal.”
Alison’s father, Warren, said they were proud of their daughter as the art world was quite competitive.
“For her work to have been chosen, shows the dedication and discipline she has towards her work. We’ve been with her on this journey from the start and we’ll be with her till the end,” he said.
Alison said she was looking forward to her work being displayed in the exhibition when the time was right.
Zeitz Mocaa issued a statement last week, where it said it would be temporarily closed until Monday April 6.
