SUPER BORING - Wayne Barker

LEGENDS
The ‘Legends’ series deals with individuals. Personally
signifi cant to the artist, they also resonate in the history of
South Africa. As ‘household names’ they have lost some of
their individuality and have become ciphers for a passage
in South Africa’s story that they infl uenced, precipitated or
described. Nevertheless, behind the familiar face and the
name attached to it lies an individual life, far richer, more
complex and nuanced than the invariable one liner that it
evokes. While Wayne Barker is undoubtedly referencing
their contributions to our history, he also appears
to be demanding that we look beyond their obvious
achievements to the personality that produced them. In
titling this series ‘Legends’ it seems that he is reminding
us that a legend loses its grip on the reality that produced
it by being told too many times and by having too much
erased (or conveniently forgotten) that confl icts with the
‘offi cial’ story being told.
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WAYNE BARKER
For Barker the reason why they are remembered is the
fact that they challenged the system in one way or another,
This defi ance, be it of the system or of the conditions they
found themselves in, is what draws him to his subjects and
underpinning each painting as a process of research into
their lives. Each work is his personal take on their actions
for change or reform. These are his legends and he has
created a tableau in which their need to act, their refusal
to accept injustice and their desire to better that which
is around them are what engages him. When he speaks
of his ‘legends’ he does so with genuine affection and
admiration. I suspect he sees them as fellow-strugglers
against injustice and this comradery evokes a playful
familiarity which sees C.J. Langenhoven, author of Die
Stem, facing-off against Enoch Sontonga, author of Nkosi
Sikelel i’Africa, in Duel. The punning title has as much to
do with them fi ghting it out, High Noon style, as it does to
their dual role as authors of our current national anthem.
CBS News - 1990: Walter Sisulu | 2010 | mixed media and neon tubing on canvas | 138 x 138 cm
SUPER BORING
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