DriftArt // Markus Wörsdörfer

DriftArt

Washed ashore and shaped by nature

What happens when a piece of clothing washes ashore?

When the sun, sand, wind and rain, the ebb and flow starts to play with it.

Shaping it, moving it around, washing, tearing and bleaching it.

When manmade clashes with nature and is subjected to the elements.

When we keep our eyes open to even the smallest detail and give our imagination free reign.

From a distance or up close.

We’ve all looked at a cloud in the sky and imagined seeing a dog.

Or maybe a dragon or Mickey Mouse.

The uniqueness of each mind leads to the conjuring up of different images.

That was indeed my experience, one morning walking on a beautiful beach in Zanzibar.

My plan was to photograph the fishermen going out to sea with their dhows,

But then I happen to come across a piece of textile sticking out of the sand.

At first I was puzzled, presuming that it was some exotic, tropical fish.  After strolling around it I came to realize it was a piece of colorful fabric, stuck in the sand.

I then photographed my “tropical fish” and continued on my walk; subconsciously primed to look out for another addition to what would culminate in a body of work named DriftArt.

So, for the rest of my stay, I deliberately searched out pieces of clothing, fabrics and paper that had washed on to the white beaches around the island.

Not an easy task, as beaches are generally self-cleaning.

But I had time on my hands to explore the island, while treating my feet to the joy of sinking into the beautiful, soft sand.

So what you see on these walls, is the end product of that collaboration. The beach as a canvas and the sun, wind and sea as paint brushes; swirling, twisting and close to imprisoning a piece of manmade cloth in its sandy grip.

So it is your willingness to let your mind wander and imagine ancient spice trails of Petra blending with mirage-like sand castles .?

Date of exhibition: 7 Jan - 31 Jan 2020

Artist: Markus Wörsdörfer

Prints for sale: R3500 Framed.

Edition: 1 of 5

Please note: Although we will try our best to communicate any changes to the exhibition, we are an events space and as such will need to take the exhibition down from time to time during an event. If you are planning to come through and view the exhibition, please ensure that you contact us ahead of time to ensure that it is up on the day you want to come through to avoid any disappointments.