Following the recent uncertainty experienced here in South Africa, Deepest Darkest brings a freshness to the scene with the opening of digital artist Ruan Jooste’s debut solo show, Kiff Khaya.
Jooste celebrates the quirks and idiosyncrasies that mishmash into our shared commonalities, memories and nostalgias in a riot of fun, colour and wit. At a time when so many felt divided, he boldly reminds us that there is a uniquely South African joy that binds and connects us.
“I was inspired by my country, my continent and the amazing people who call it home. The vibrant colours of our landscapes, cities and towns, and the rich cultures that make up this rainbow nation. There is energy and grit in our urban and rural landscapes, downtown to township. I started this series in a time where we as a country have gone through tremendous strain and sadness. We have lived and seen devastation day after day during this pandemic and as I struggled with my own state of mind in making sense of it all, I wanted to remind myself of the joy this country also has to offer. Adding elements of fun and fantasy resulted in imagining another version of our reality. One that reminds you to smile. Not only for myself, but to share.”
Jooste was inspired by South Africa, the African continent and the amazing people who call it home. The vibrant colours of the landscapes, cities and towns, and the rich cultures that make up this rainbow nation. There is energy and grit in the urban and rural landscapes, downtown to township he says. “Opposite ends of the spectrum can be seen all around us and what always amazes me is how very different people can come together. Our people are lekker, they have a sense of togetherness, ubuntu.”
This series started in a time where South Africa as a country had gone through tremendous strain and sadness. Having lived and seen devastation day after day during the pandemic and as Jooste himself struggled with his own state of mind in making sense of it all, he wanted to remind himself of the joy this country also has to offer. Adding elements of fun and fantasy resulted in imagining another version of reality. “One that reminds you to smile. Not only for myself, but to share.”
Jooste wants to acknowledge the nostalgia of mhis childhood. “Thinking of Lucky Star Pilchards always reminds me of my father and how he loved eating them on toast. Nik Naks will always remind me of high school and how we would buy them just to find the money in the packets to buy more. Chappies, Lucky Star Pilchards, Inkomazi, Iwisa Maize Meal, OK Bazaar, Black Label beer… they hold memories for many of us. What better time to reminisce on that fondness that so many of us share and remind ourselves that perhaps we are more the same, than different.”
