Notes

The present lot presents two female figures set against a hessian backdrop. This striking visual piece delves deeply into socio-political themes, particularly those of exploitation, displacement, and environmental degradation. The figures, crafted from paint and recycled rubber, appear distorted, reflecting the dehumanisation and suffering often faced by marginalised individuals. The use of rubber – a material linked to exploitation in Congo – symbolises both the resilience and oppression of its people. The texture and flexibility of the rubber imbue the figures with a sense of movement, possibly alluding to struggle, resilience, or entrapment. The contrast between the rubber and the hessian adds a tactile dimension to the artwork, underscoring the harsh realities of the lives Bongoy depicts. Flanking the figures are wing-like structures: one side is adorned with bright red ‘wings,’ evoking turmoil, devastation, and death, while the other side features white ‘wings,’ reminiscent of angels and representing the duality of life and death. Patrick Bongoy’s Pride is both visually compelling and thematically profound, offering a powerful commentary on the struggles and resilience of marginalised communities.

Provenance

Property of a Collector.

Exhibited

Ebony Curated, Johannesburg, FNB Art Joburg, 6 November 2020 to 18 November 2020.