Iziko South African National Gallery is proud to host the exhibition of the winner of the award for the Standard Bank Young Artist for Visual Art 2006, Churchill Madikida, previously also the joint recipient of the Tollman Award for a young artist, in 2003. His work has, in the past, frequently explored the contemporary implications of Xhosa traditions, particularly the initiation ritual of circumcision, in media including video, photography and live performance.

Churchill Madikida grew up without a biological father - whom he had erroneously believed had died when Madikida was very young, and recently met for the first time in 32 years - and his exhibition Like Father Like Son? sets out to explore the consequences of this. Drawing from his own personal experience, the works on this exhibition engage with Madikida's complex family history and provide an insight into how the absence of his biological father may have shaped his sense of being, his relationships and even perhaps his perception of the world. He attempts to share his struggles in trying to understand and overcome a particular lack, a process that for the artist includes acknowledging the shortcomings and wrongs of the past and in the main offers forgiveness and the suggestion of moving forward.

The Gallery is open daily except Monday from 10:00-17:00.

On Sunday 25 March, Madikida will present a walkabout of his exhibition. Hosted by Friends of SA National Gallery, the event is R25 for Friends; R35 for guests.

Enquiries: Pam Warne 021 467 4660. Enquiries about the walkabout to Lizzie 021-467-4663 (Tue-Thu 10:00-14:00).

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