Unveil the mystery of Salt River’s urban fabric through Bineshtarigh’s captivating new series at Southern Guild, his first solo exhibition since joining in early 2023. Drenched in the essence of intuitive artistry, the paintings bring the walls of his Salt River studio to life.
About the Artist and the Salt River Studio Complex
Nestled on a unique island of land, Bineshtarigh’s Salt River studio sits in an old industrial building, bound by Hopkins, Aubrey, and Yew Streets. With looming demolition plans, the artist’s time here represents a final chapter in a love affair with the site.
The Inspiration: Marks of Presence at 9 Hopkins Street
The series springs from the humble walls of a ground-floor auto repair shop in the building. Over the years, workers have unwittingly left their imprints—grease, grit, and paint marks—on the walls. Bineshtarigh saw these as an organic canvas of human activity and gestures.
The Artistic Process: A Continuation from the Uncover Series
In this compelling series, Bineshtarigh uses ink, graphite, and spray paint to emulate the unintentional marks. Building upon his 2022 solo, Uncover, he employs cold glue layering to lift the paint, creating works that resonate with the structural essence of the Salt River complex.
Conceptual Depth: Between Intention and Unrestricted Existence
The artwork in 9 Hopkins thrives on an inquiry into the role of intent and energy in mark-making. It delves into the nuanced space between deliberate artistry and the unfiltered essence of being.
Historical Background: Salt River’s Complex Relationship with Racial Politics
The history of the Hopkins Street complex is a microcosm of South Africa’s tangled past of race, class, and gender. Initially home to white-only garment factories, labour policies later dictated the employment of low-income Coloured and Black women.
The Future: An Uncertain Destiny for 9 Hopkins Street
Since South Africa’s 1994 democratization, local textile factories have declined, making way for cheaper imports. Slated for demolition in October 2023, the building encapsulates an array of activities and livelihoods on the brink of disappearance.
The Legacy of 9 Hopkins Street: Beyond Physical Structures
The 9 Hopkins series doesn’t just serve as aesthetic delight; it captures the metaphysical imprints of a space’s history. It stands as a tribute to human presence and a repository of collective memory and existence.
Experience the transformative power of Bineshtarigh’s work at 9 Hopkins and engage with art that speaks to the layers of time, place, and human activity.
