Origin Art continue their series of exhibitions at Keyes Art Mile with The Figure and Histories, a new joint exhibition by painters Sarah Ballam and Jan Neethling.

Each of these painters explores the human body in different ways and while their representation of the figure may be quite different it is central to each of their practices.

Ballam's work focuses on the female figure as a site of contestation and violence in history. She draws from classical artworks and reimagines scenes in which rape and other forms of unambiguous violence is being inflicted on women. Through erasing, editing and reworking these images she transforms the figures into ones of triumph and redemption.

With his images of thugs, corrupt politicians and bikini girls, Neethling's work is more akin to French artists Degas, Cezanne and Renoir. A frequent collaborator with the late Robert Hodgins, whose work can be seen at Strauss & Co's summer auction, Neethling's figures are not emblematic of an idea or metaphor but are tied to their bodies. Primarily using photography as his source material Neethling's paintings work as character studies of the figures represented and are filled with emotions and feelings located in the body.

Exhibition opens Sat, Nov 5 at 11:00. If you plan on attending the opening event RSVP by email to oliver@originart.co.za.