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William Kentridge's Work: Film Analysis

1731 Words7 Pages

This chapter will look at the content of Kentridges work, questioning his approach and reasoning for narrating the South African apartheid and delving into his position somewhere in-between those who were conflicted.

In addressing such themes the artist explores the possibilities of creating histories and relationships, he proposes a new way of seeing, alternatives to the tragedies which occurred and in whole a solution to look at man differently and bury the oppression of minorities.

William Kentridge narrates personal and collective histories as primary subject matter in his practice . The complexity of daily existence is presented to viewers inviting them to empathise and understand the harsh realities which the artists works highlight ( p.10 carolyn christov). The artist highlights the difficulties which arise when one is a survivor and a witness of such events,(skira p.34) However perhaps this in-between position which the artist has found himself in has allowed him create work as an …show more content…

( Kentridge documentary ) Kentridges unique technique of drawing, erasing, recording, redrawing plays with memory as traces of the previous drawings linger on the page as if trapped in the image, perhaps a symbolic gesture for the memories and the suffering which took place in South Africa at the time to be omnipresent . Personal and collective history fuel Kentridges vast body of work, they have acted as a source for his animations since the artists first began creating.This chapter will Focus on earlier works of his, with particular interest in the acclaimed animation ‘Felix in exile’ which plainly addresses themes of personal and collective history alongside a political stance addressing the apartheid

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