{"id":48409,"date":"2024-02-22T19:05:26","date_gmt":"2024-02-22T17:05:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/kimberley-artist-from-roodepan-invited-to-second-exhibition-abroad-20240222\/"},"modified":"2025-03-21T16:14:00","modified_gmt":"2025-03-21T14:14:00","slug":"kimberley-artist-from-roodepan-invited-to-second-exhibition-abroad-20240222","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/kimberley-artist-from-roodepan-invited-to-second-exhibition-abroad-20240222\/","title":{"rendered":"Kimberley artist from Roodepan invited to second exhibition abroad; Berlin awaits"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The next step for Eugene Junior Oliphant to celebrate his \u201cColored excellence\u201d is to attend an art exhibition in Berlin, Germany, where two of his artworks will attract the attention of art lovers and connoisseurs from all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After his first exposure to an art exhibition abroad \u2013 last year in London \u2013 this 27-year-old artist from Roodepan in Kimberley had inspiration anew to promote his culture and enhance his style. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On returning home, he painted \u201cChildren of the San IV \u2013 Ophelia\u201d. Upon seeing this painting, his mom remarked that it looks vandalised, \u201cjust like the Colored culture.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With this Oliphant realised he had succeeded in capturing his unique heritage and culture, which is \u201cnot easy to grow up in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The first painting Junior Oliphant did after coming back from London. On this his mom remarked that it looks vandalised, \u201cjust as the Colored culture\u201d. It is called \u201cChildren of the San IV \u2013 Ophelia\u201d.<\/div>\n
<\/span>Photo: Facebook\/Junior Oliphant<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Through his art he \u201cwants to celebrate Colored excellence because we are a marginalised group,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two of his other paintings, \u201cChildren of the San VI \u2013 A Traveler\u2019s Journal\u201d and \u201cThe Messiah Complex\u201d were selected for Galeria Azur\u2019s exhibition, ACT 2, scheduled from 7 March to 5 April in Germany \u2013 an opportunity Oliphant is hoping to grab as the gallery is not sponsoring his trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cChildren of the San VI \u2013 A Traveler\u2019s Journal\u201d, one of two artworks of Junior Oliphant from Roodepan, Kimberley, that was selected for an art exhibition in Berlin, Germany. <\/div>\n
<\/span>Photo: Helena Barnard<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Stereotyped all the time\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTo be raised in a Colored community is not easy as you are stereotyped all the time,\u201d Oliphant says, making it clear that he is an artist, not an activist. On his Facebook page he describes himself as a \u201cVisual Artist \/ Colored \/ Coloured \/ Khoisan Kjeent\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He explains when a Colored person excels, it is attributed to being a \u201cSouth African\u201d. But as soon as such a person causes trouble or does not perform, it is attributed to being \u201cColored\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, Oliphant says, most Black people feel they are the only ones who went through the struggle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He recalls an incident when he was still attending a school in Johannesburg where he was stereotyped as \u201chy steek mes\u201d just because he was Colored. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOnly after school did I start to understand stereotyping better, and I realised that I am also judging people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although Roodepan is Oliphant\u2019s community, he describes the Northern Cape town of Dani\u00eblskuil as his home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cOnly in 2010-\u201911 in Dani\u00eblskuil did I learn to be Colored; to use Colored slang, to put on a mask to look hardegat because of being surrounded by tsotsis and gangs.\u201d <\/div>\n
Junior Oliphant<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Through his art, Oliphant wants to unite communities; educate them on their heritage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI want to explore my culture and identity as the Khoisan are my ancestors. I incorporate that in my work as well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oliphant portrays his work as controversial and provocative in the way he uses replicas of cave drawings, amongst other, in the background as part of his voice and style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, he wants to challenge the concept of what is seen as African art. African art is not only art from Black artists, he says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paintings impress in London, Berlin<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Oliphant describes his exposure in London where two of his other artworks were chosen by ItsLiquid Group for its eighth edition of the London Contemporary Art Fair as a very \u201cidentifiable experience\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He explains it is a first-world city \u2013 structured and clean. Yet, he was surprised to find shipping containers \u2013 which are commonly regarded as second-hand or a cheap compromise \u2013 neatly stacked and painted to form a mall in a five-star area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For him it was symbolic that it is possible to get out of the ghetto.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Last year in England, Junior Oliphant realised that the London culture is very appreciative of graffiti art. <\/div>\n
<\/span>Photo: Facebook\/Junior Oliphant<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Oliphant further realised that the London culture is very appreciative of graffiti artists, and it enhances his vision to do more murals in the Northern Cape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With this, Oliphant has already started; he has done container art in Galeshewe and is busy with murals at the AR Abass Stadium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of his paintings exhibited in London changed his life and made his dream of traveling the world through the art, come true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He describes this painting, \u201cChildren of the San I \u2013 The Great Depression\u201d, as a symbol of good hope for depression amongst men.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cWe are constantly in competition with ourselves and each other. Stereotypically, we hide our emotions to get through the day as a man.\u201d<\/div>\n
Junior Oliphant<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis artwork does not only speak up for mental health awareness, but it is dear to me as a Colored, male artist trying to make it in the art industry. Stuck between accepting the term \u2018colored\u2019 even though it is oppressive and trying to find my cultural identity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He hopes this artwork can serve as a call to action to try and fix the system that is created to suppress Colored growth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cUnemployment plays a big role in our communities that leads to all sorts of problems, and suicide is one of them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cChildren of the San I \u2013 The great depression\u201d, an artwork by Junior Oliphant, was selected for the art exhibition in London last year. Oliphant says this painting changed his life.<\/div>\n
<\/span>Photo: Facebook\/Junior Oliphant<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201cChildren of the San VI \u2013 A Traveler\u2019s Journal\u201d \u2013 one of the artworks selected to be exhibited in Berlin \u2013 is a depiction of what it is like to be a Colored man in South Africa, he says. It is also about the baggage that he personally has as an artist and must carry through life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other selected artwork, \u201cThe Messiah Complex\u201c, he explains that the term refers to a state of mind where an individual believes he is responsible for saving others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Junior Oliphant with his artwork, \u201cThe Messiah Complex\u201d, one of two of his paintings that were selected for an art exhibition in Berlin.<\/div>\n
<\/span>Photo: Helena Barnard<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The curatorial team of the Galeria Azur was impressed with Oliphant\u2019s artistic merit and unique perspective in these two works. In the invitation letter, Virginia Vanni, curatorial leader in Berlin, stated the team was drawn to these works as it perfectly aligns with the thematic focus of the exhibition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOliphant\u2019s unique perspective and artistic contributions will undoubtedly enrich the cultural tapestry of our exhibition. We are confident that his presence will be a source of inspiration for fellow artists and a highlight for our visitors,\u201d Vanni wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dream comes true<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For Oliphant, to be able to attend the art exhibition in London last year was a dream come true as an artist. He is incredibly grateful towards the premier of the Northern Cape, Dr. Zamani Saul, and the Northern Cape Department of Sport, Arts and Culture for their funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Junior Oliphant in front of the Buckingham Palace in London.<\/div>\n
<\/span>Photo: Facebook\/Junior Oliphant<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Junior Oliphant at the London Bridge.<\/div>\n
<\/span>Photo: Facebook\/Junior Oliphant<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

As amongst other a tattooist and photographer, Oliphant is currently offering his services as tattoo-artist and artist to raise funds to be able to attend the event in Berlin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from travel, accommodation, and visa arrangements, a participation fee must also be paid to the Galeria Azur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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During Junior Oliphant\u2019s art exposure last year in London, England, he was happy to come across the tribute mural of the world-renowned graffiti artist, Banksy, which was done for Jean-Michel Basquiat. Basquiat was an American artist who rose to success during the 1980s as part of the Neo-expressionism movement. <\/div>\n
<\/span>Photo: Facebook\/Junior Oliphant<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Oliphant, who was born in Kimberley, lost both his parents at a young age and was raised by his aunt, Thelma Verkoper, whom he regarded as his mom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He spent the biggest part of his childhood in Kempton Park, Gauteng, and relocated to the Northern Cape when he was in Gr. 9 and matriculated at the Pescodia High School in Kimberley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is studying towards a diploma in Design and Studio Art at the Central University of Technology (CUT), Free State, in Bloemfontein, which he still could not complete due to obstacles. At the end of last year, he graduated in Graphic Design from ATTI Kimberley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oliphant has never hesitated to try his skills on different terrains, and has experience as, amongst other, a security officer, waiter, bartender, sales consultant, stock controller, and control room operator. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He learnt the art of tattooing along the way, and it is his biggest income. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018You become what you are exposed to\u2019<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For Oliphant, his future is in the Northern Cape, giving back to its artists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI want to change the mindset of young people of my community, and their systematic mindset of staying in the same circle. I was surrounded with negative energy \u2013 you become what you are exposed to,\u201d he believes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oliphant endorses the Afrikaans rappers, Pikes and Dodo\u2019s \u201cOns kap net aan man\u201d, and he says, \u201cOns kap nie om nie. Ons kap aan.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n