Hedwig Barry – Artist's Statement

I am a South African artist with a special interest in the teaching and learning. I am a feminist, mother, artist, activist and teacher. I  make work in drawing, painting, sculpture and film. In 2020 I obtained an MA in Fine Arts with distinction from  Wits University with a research project that investigated experiential pedagogy, desires for becoming, belonging and loving, using ‘showing by doing’ in spaces of teaching and learning. I have taught visual art and production design on both secondary and tertiary level, I have a PGCE ,and am registered with the South African Council for Educators ( SACE). 

I am proudly represented by Guns and Rain, a contemporary art gallery that is focused on socio-political issues and African histories – both collective and personal. Guns and Rain support emerging African artists from 6 African countries (South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland/Eswatini, Nigeria). 

In early 2022 I was artist-in-residence at the Nirox Foundation. The residency culminated in a solo exhibition at the NIROX Sculpture Park. In March2022  I showed a newly commissioned sculptural work, Night Crumple, at the Spier Light Art Festival curated by Vaughn Sadie and Jay Pather.  after this I  spent 4 months at the Tswalu Kalahari Reserve as an artist-in-residence and guest of the Tswalu Foundation and will present a solo exhibition of work born through the residency with Everard Read Gallery in November 2023.