In Remembering and Forgetting: Landscapes in Dialogue, Kim Berman presents both new and older work that looks at landscapes common across South Africa: those destroyed by humans and industry. Within these landscapes, Berman balances critique and anger with the hope that can be found in moments of humanity.
Organised into six overlapping themes, State of Urgency, Sunflowers in Mourning, Fire and Smoke, Mining and Damaged Landscapes, Artists Books and Fire Revisited, the recurring landscapes in Berman's art trace historical themes, and in so doing, bring fresh perspectives to issues such as environmental and community destruction as a result of mining and industry.
Photo: UJ Art Gallery.
A core facet of this is Berman's exploration of what she calls "rusted ghosts", rusted etched plates which she has reclaimed and reused. Berman says that while these often show "foreboding traces of war and destruction over faded burnt landscapes, they always contain a glimmer of light on the horizon, and somewhere in the image, a sign of life". And it is in these glimmers on the surface that Berman both traces the past, while pointing to a different future.
Among the works, fire is ever present, and though Berman highlights its destructive nature, she also gestures towards the possibility for renewal. Indeed, the exhibition embodies this as it is Berman's first solo in 15 years, as much of her time has been dedicated to teaching and researching. "This exhibition has been an opportunity to reflect, renew, and reinvent myself as a visual artist," she says.
Make sure to schedule a visit to see Remembering and Forgetting: Landscapes in Dialogue by Kim Berman at UJ Art Gallery before it closes on Thu, Sep 4, 2025. UJ Art Gallery will also be hosting two events alongside the exhibition, a print workshop with Artist Proof Studio and Kim Berman on Sat, Aug 16 at 10:30, and a walkabout with the artist on Sat, Aug 30 at 10:30. RSVP is essential and can be done here.
