Fatshimetrie
Under a bright summer sun, on this October Saturday morning in Johannesburg, Ruby Onyinyechi Amanze’s exhibition Light Blue Violet opens at the Goodman Gallery. An artistic event always full of surprises, where the unexpected is not only present in the works exhibited, but also in the visitors themselves.
Among the regulars at these pre-lunch openings, there is a group of people carrying yoga mats, testifying to an intensive session just before diving into the artistic world. There is nothing like appreciating art while sipping a sparkling mimosa to start a weekend gently.
Ruby Onyinyechi Amanze, of Nigerian origin and raised in England, currently resides in Philadelphia in the United States. Over the years, she has developed a singular artistic universe manifesting itself mainly through drawings on paper. Her inspiration draws from photography, textiles, architecture and printmaking, exploring how to create designs that maintain the essential lightness of paper.
Within the gallery, the artist introduces the idea of “deep seeing,” a concept inspired by American composer and music theorist Pauline Oliveros’ “deep listening.” The goal of this approach is not to simply look at the works on the surface, but to contemplate them fully in order to grasp their full depth and find a meaning that resonates within each individual.
Through “deep seeing,” Amanze aims to offer viewers the opportunity to connect not only with the art, but also with their own experiences and emotions. An invitation to step away from the hectic world and immerse themselves in silent contemplation.
The light-filled walls of the spacious Goodman Gallery facilitate this approach, allowing for a total immersion in the eight large works on display. The space truly encourages “deep vision”, offering visitors the freedom to interpret the works as they wish.
During our meeting, Amanze discusses her attachment to the theme of space, architecture and movement. Having been an immigrant twice, her relationship to the notion of space is deeply marked by her multiple geographical affiliations and her experience of mobility.
The artist thus addresses complex themes that resonate with the realities of many Africans, but also South Africans, confronted with the challenges of spatial planning inherited from the colonial past. The notion of space, vast and polymorphous, is a source of multiple interpretations, encouraging a deep vision.
When I ask her about her way of decompressing when faced with these deep and delicate themes, Amanze reveals that she is an athlete. This physical dimension of her life offers her a complementary balance to her artistic practice, thus highlighting the link between her corporality and her creative process.
Within the gallery, sitting on a charcoal sofa, mimosa in hand, Amanze is delighted to rediscover the effervescence of Johannesburg. Her artistic work, imbued with poetry and reflection, unfolds a universe where the intimate and the universal mingle, inviting everyone to an inner exploration through “deep vision”.
This exhibition thus marks an expected and noted return of Ruby Onyinyechi Amanze to the Johannesburg art scene, offering spectators an immersive and introspective experience, conducive to reflection and contemplation.