In “Merry Hell and the Dreambody”, Kate Gottgens’ new body of paintings, conflict and desire are central themes.

Using old, found photographs featuring family gatherings, backyard rituals, and kids at play, Gottgens manipulates the image in such a way as to have us wondering what are the myths behind the veil of our daily lives? What truth is buried beneath the image of a happy family group? And how did we, as children, adapt to the forces of the world we found ourselves in?

In painterly strategies of dripping, bleeding and blurring colours, Gottgens continues to engage with the concerns of contemporary painting, creating works that merge the familiar with the mysterious and give life to the magic, joys and sorrows of growing up.

Venue: João Ferreira Gallery, 70 Loop St, Cape Town
Gallery Hours: Tue – Fri: 10:00am – 5:00pm, Sat 10:00am – 2:00pm
Performances: 1 Dec 2010 - 8 Jan 2011