PROFILE
RONÉL DE JAGER'S WORK DEALS WITH THE CONCEPTS OF TIME, ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS AND WITH PERSONAL NARRATIVES AS MICROCOSMS OF BROADER SOCIAL ISSUES.
A MULTI SENSORY APPROACH, INCORPORATING NUMEROUS DISCIPLINES ALONG WITH THE ALWAYS-PALPABLE SENSE OF TIME, IS THE HALLMARK OF DE JAGER'S WORK.
Ronél de Jager is an award-winning South African visual artist. Born in Johannesburg (1985), she has lived and worked in the city for much of her life.
De Jager's work shifts between painting, sculpture and installation. She deals with concepts of time, environmental concerns and with personal narratives as microcosms of broader social issues.
In De Jager’s oeuvre, transience is the constant, change the leitmotif, both conceptually and formally.
Her works demonstrate the continuous transformation to which every form is subjected, and reflect on the eternal processes of becoming and of passing away. In this, she resonates with philosopher and sociologist Georg Simmel: “By ‘nature’, we mean the endless connection of things, the uninterrupted production and negation of forms, the flowing unity of occurrence that is expressed in the continuity of temporal and spatial existence. Matter, every kind of material, is constantly in a process of transformation.”
De Jager says, “I’m continuously fascinated with time on a grand scale, through ideas of evolution of the world around us, geological time and the antiquity of the earth. But I also want these histories to speak of a contemporary moment and show the response from the earth to our presence.”
In her paintings, De Jager’s abiding interest in translating photographic and video imagery into ambiguous, suggestive paint marks enables her to explore liminal states. Blurry paintings imply movement, as if to explore a kind of spatial liminality: unclear landscapes suggest rapid movement. The disturbance created by this is unsettling, as the details of the landscape resist our grasp. In the place of a full understanding, the viewer is left with a mere sensation, an intense yet transient impression of the scenes De Jager explores.
A similar transience is to be detected in her working process: De Jager continually shifts her practice and evolves her interests. Her forays into the 3-dimensional have moved her practice into creating environments for her work, as seen in her 2017 exhibition ‘Broeigrond: Fertile Ground for Golden Regrets’.
This installation, which secured her the KANNA Award for the best exhibition at the KKNK Arts Festival of that year, delved into concepts of existence, evolution and life’s fragility. Using electroplating to grow quasi-organic shapes onto Karoo flora, De Jager showed individual sculptures, as specimens, in hand-blown glass vessels. Their fragility heightened by their suspension in mid-air, the works spoke of ecological concerns; along with the overwhelmingly red paintings that accompanied them, the installation had a sense of urgency in speaking about our species’ impact on our environment.
A multi sensory approach, incorporating numerous disciplines along with the always-palpable sense of time, is the hallmark of De Jager’s work.
Additionally, she has participated in numerous curated group shows. Collaborative projects include ‘MYOPIA’ with Mandy Coppes-Martin, and ‘Sacred & Profane’, both in 2017. She has been a regular finalist in National Art Competitions; ABSA L’Atelier (2008, 2013 and 2015), Sasol New Signatures (in 2008, 2010 and 2014) and the Thami Mnyele Fine Arts Awards (in 2011 to 2016). De Jager is also a recipient of the MTN Foundation Award (2003). Her work has been presented at the at Cape Town Art Fair (2015) as well as the Turbine Art Fair (2013 – 2019).
In January 2020, she concluded a four-month residency at Bag Factory Artist’s Studios in Newtown, Johannesburg.
Her works are included in a significant number of public and private collections, locally and abroad, including ABSA, First Rand Limited, Hollard SA & Australia, Rand Merchant Rank, Sasol, Telkom, Spier Arts Trust, Nando’s International and the permanent collection of the South African National Library.
Permanent installations of her 'Citizen of Glass' sculpture series have been commissioned by First Rand Limited, (housed at Merchant Place, Sandton) and Hollard (housed at The Pines, Parktown, Johannesburg). She has also completed recent public commissions for Nando’s UK and Edgars & VMLYR for their 2020 winter campaign.
CV
AWARDS //
RESIDENCIES
Bag Factory Artists’ Studio Residency, Newtown, Johannesburg – 2019/2020
KANNA Award Winner, Best Visual Art Exhibition, KKNK National Arts Festival – 2017
ABSA L’Atelier, Top 100 Finalist – 2015, 2013, 2008
Thami Mnyele Fine Art Awards, Top 100 Finalist – 2016, 2015, 2013, 2011
Sasol New Signatures, Top 100 Finalist – 2013, 2010, 2008
MTN Art Foundation Award – 2003
SOLO EXHIBITIONS //
PROJECTS
2017
BROEIGROND: Fertile Ground for Golden Regrets, Solo Exhibition (KANNA Award Winner) KKNK Main Visual Arts programme, Oudsthoorn
MYOPIA, Collaborative Exhibition with Mandy Coppes-Martin, Lizamore & Associates Gallery, Johannesburg
SACRED & PROFANE, Collaborative Exhibition with Dirk Bahmann, Stephan Erasmus, Mandy Johnston, Wayne Mathews & Neil Nieuwoudt, Lizamore & Associates Gallery, Johannesburg
2015
AM (AFTER MIDNIGHT), Multimedia Solo Exhibition (final in a three part series), Lizamore & Associates Gallery, Johannesburg
2014
AN INTERLUDE, Featured Multimedia Installation (second in a three part series), Turbine Art Fair, Johannesburg
A PRELUDE, Multimedia Installation (first in a three part series), ROOM Gallery & Projects, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
A DISCORD, Interactive Performance in association with Site Specific, Johannesburg
2009
123 BLOKMYSELF!, Gordart Gallery Project Room, Johannesburg
COLLECTIONS
ABSA
South African National Library Public Art Collection
Hollard – Australia & South Africa
First Rand Limited
Rand Merchant Bank
Nando's – South Africa, Malaysia & UK
Spier Arts Trust & Wine Estate
Telkom SA
Sasol Limited
Various National and International Private Collections (Germany, Mauritius, Switzerland, UK, Australia, USA São Paulo amongst others)
COMMISSIONS //
PERMANENT INSTALLATIONS
First Rand Limited: Permanent Installation of two Citizen of Glass Sculptures, Commissioned for CEO Offices, Merchant Place, Sandton, Johannesburg – 2018
Hollard SA: Permanent Installation of Citizen of Glass: Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn & Mercury, housed at The Pines, Parkview, Johannesburg – 2017
Nando’s UK: Featured Work, Veil II, UK Menu cover – 2020
Edgars & VMLYR: Commissioned Painting, Unravel, for Winter Campaign – 2020
South African Government: Official Nelson Mandela Funeral Portrait, assisted commissioned artist Usha Seejarim – 2013
INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE
New Voices II, Curator, hosted by Lizamore & Associates, Johannesburg – 2013
The Art of Access Webinar Series, Project manager, hosted by Usha Seejarim – 2013
New Voices, Curatorial debut, hosted by Artspace Gallery, Johannesburg – 2012
Gallery Manager & Assistant Curator, Artspace Gallery (now Lizamore & Associates), Johannesburg, 2007 – 2013
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2021
Verf, Curated by Johan Myburg, KKNK National Arts Festival, Online
In Conversation with Colour Symphony, Hosted by Rupert Museum, Graaff-Reinet
2020
ABSA Art Hot Spot Auction, Hosted by ABSA & Aspire Art Auctions, Online
The Pandemic, Interdisciplinary Project curated by Annali Dempsey, Online & University of Johannesburg Gallery
Vanishing Act, Curated by Suen Muller, KKNK National Arts Festival, Online
Knowingly Waisting Time, Painting group exhibition, No End Contemporary, Johannesburg
She Impressions, All female group exhibition, The Project Space, Victoria Yards, Johannesburg
2019
Bag Factory Salon, Bag Factory Artist’s Studios, Johannesburg
Lost & Found, Curated by Candice Allison, Bag Factory Artist’s Studios, Johannesburg
ABSA Champaign Festival, Curated by Sarah Mcgee, Polo Room, Sandton, Johannesburg
Secret Garden, Art on Avenues Gallery, Somerset West
Turbine Art Fair, presented by Lizamore & Assoc. Gallery, Illovo, Johannesburg
Countershading, Art on Avenues Gallery, Somerset West
Murmurs of Earth, Art on Avenues Gallery, Somerset West
Collecting Contemporary, Curated by Teresa Lizamore, KKNK Festival, Oudtshoorn
Muurblom, Curated by Carina du Randt, US Woordfees, Stellenbosch
2018
New Romantics, Curated by Mary Corrigall, Barnard Gallery, Cape Town
Nano 1.2, Curated by Alastair Whitton, Barnard Gallery, Cape Town
Star Garden, Curated by Carina du Randt, Platform 13, Cape Town
Paint it Forward, Curated by Lucia Boer, ABSA Gallery, Johannesburg
Bag Factory Annual Salon, Bagfactory Artists Studios, Johannesburg
Lizamore Salon, Lizamore & Associates Gallery, Johannesburg
2017
MYOPIA, Collaborative exhibition with Mandy Coppes-Martin, Lizamore & Associates Gallery, Johannesburg
Dead and Dreaming: Still Life, Painting exhibition curated by Wayne Matthews, Priest Gallery, Johannesburg
Lady Garden, All female exhibition, Cavalli Gallery, Somerset West, Cape Town
The Young Guns, Gallery One11, Cape Town
35 Lizamore: Trailblazers, Lizamore & Associates Gallery, Johannesburg
Material Consequences, Women's month exhibition presented by RMB, Art@First Gallery, Merchant Place RMB, Johannesburg
Sacred & Profane, Collaborative Exhibition with Dirk Bahmann, Stephan Erasmus, Mandy Johnston, Wayne Mathews & Neil Nieuwoudt, Lizamore & Associates Gallery, Johannesburg
See Art, Curated by Derek Zietsman, Gallery 2, Johannesburg
2Y2K, Curated by Rebecca Haysom, Twilsharp Studios, Johannesburg
35 Years Lizamore, Curated by Teresa Lizamore, Lizamore & Associates Gallery, Johannesburg
2016
For What It's Worth, No End Contemporary Art Space, Johannesburg
#Selfie, Lizamore & Associates Gallery, Johannesburg
Turbine Art Fair, Presented by Lizamore & Associates Gallery, Turbine Hall, Newtown, Johannesburg
Spaces Between Maps, Curated by Stephan Erasmus, KKNK Festival, ABSA Gallery, Oudtshoorn
Fifteen Hundred, No End to Contemporary Art Space, Johannesburg
Stellar, Salon 91 Contemporary Gallery, Cape Town
Office Party, Curated by Rebecca Haysom, Twilsharp Studios, Johannesburg
2015
Cape Town Art Fair 2015, Presented by Lizamore & Associates Gallery, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
Last Night I Had The Strangest Dream, Curated by Layla Leiman, Twilsharp studios, Johannesburg
We're Not in Kansas Anymore, Presented by George Bizos fund, Sahethi School, Johannesburg
Broken Monsters, Charity exhibition presented by Nando's SA, curated by Jacki Lang, Johannesburg & Cape Town
Joburg Fringe, Presented by Dead Bunny Society as part of Art Week Joburg, Arts on Main, Johannesburg
Cultivate, Curated by Kevin Handelsman & Kim Lieberman, King David's School, Johannesburg
Turbine Art Fair 2015, Presented by Lizamore & Associates Gallery, Turbine Hall, Newtown, Johannesburg
Winter is Coming, Curated by Carina du Randt, Equus Gallery, Cavalli Estate, Somerset West
Macabre, Curated by Dead Bunny Society, Under Culture Contemporary, Port Elizabeth
2014
Site_Specific Jozi Land Art, Emmarentia Botanical Gardens, Johannesburg
2013
Interrupted, Curated by Annali Cabano-Dempsey, University of Johannesburg Art Gallery, Johannesburg
Turbine Art Fair, Presented by Artspace Gallery, Johannesburg
No Place Like Now, Curated by Emma Willemse & Tamzin Lovell, Lovell Gallery, Cape Town
PRESS
Classic Feel – ‘UJ ARTS & CULTURE RESPONDS TO THE COVID-19 CRISIS'. Article, June 2020
Art Africa – ‘New Romantics’. Review by Ellen Agnew, February 2018
Business Day – ‘Artwork as a new romance rooted in nature’s magic’. Article by Mary Corrigall, January 2018
Cape Times – ‘Romantics Fixated on Capturing New World’. Article by Mary Corrigall, February 2018
Video Interview – Interview with De Jager for the ‘Sacred & Profane’ exhibition. DBS, August 2017
Beeld – 'Betekenis lê tussen die heilige en onheilige'. Review by Johan Myburg, August 2017
The Star – 'Hopping Into the Great Unknown'. Review by Mary Corrigall, August 2017
Maroela Media – 'Broeigrond Wins Kanna Award', May 2017
RSG Kuns – 'Broeigrond Exhibition'. Radio Interview with Christelle Webb-Joubert, April 2017
Bravo! kyknet – 'Kanna Award Winners announced at Nasdak, CT', May 2017
Vrouekeur – 'Kuns Uit Eie Bodem'. Feature by Johan Myburg, June 2016
The Citizen – 'Escape The Noise'. Article by Adriaan Roets, May 2016
ELLE Décor – ‘Finding the Black hole’ artwork feature in Inspiration section, April 2016
Finweek – 'How to Pick a Winning Artist'. Article by Johan Myburg, January 2016
Visi.co.za – 'Broken Monsters Cape Town Exhibition', January 2016
10 and 5 – 'Nando’s Broken Monsters Charity Show - Artwork feature'. By Louise McCann, November 2015
Contemporary And – 'Last Night I had the Strangest Dream' artwork feature, July 2015
Barclays L'Atelier – 'Top 100 finalists', March 2015
Art Times – Cape Town Art Fair. Sunday Afternoon’ artwork feature, February 2015
Business Day – 'Insights via unconventional ways of perceiving the world'. Feature by Chris Thurman, February 2015
RSG Kuns – 'AM After Midnight Exhibition'. Radio Interview with Christelle Webb-Joubert, February 2015
Rosebank Killarney Gazette – 'Thought-provoking exhibition at Lizamore and Associates', February 2015
Artslink – 'The Fleeting Nature of Light and Shadow', January 2015
The Stylist’s Notebook – 'Art gallery hopping'. Blog post feature, February 2015
DEKAT TV. Kyknet – Rolanda Marias interviews De Jager at her studio, October 2014
Project Video – 'An Interlude' Installation featured at the Turbine Art Fair. July 2014
Grolsch Canvas – ‘Words Can’t Express What the Eye Sees’. July 2014
Saturday Citizen – ‘A Moment’s Silence’. Article by Genevieve Veira, June 2014
Exhibition Video – ‘A Prelude’. June 2014
Business Day – ‘Tricks of Light and Shade are elegiac’ Article by Chris Thurman. June 2014
RSG Kuns – ‘A Prelude Exhibition'. Radio Interview with Christelle Webb-Joubert. February 2014
Joburg City Buzz – 'Pushing boundaries with featured multimedia elements'. Article by Khanyisile Ngcobo. June 2014
Artthrob – ‘A Prelude opens at Room Gallery & Projects’. March 2014
'The making of the official Nelson Mandela Funeral Artwork in Images'. December 2013
Between 10 and 5 – 'The implementation of the Art of Access webinar series' 2013
Saturday Star – '67 Hours' - De Jager assists Usha Seejarim with Mandela day project. July 2013
eNCA – 'Tom Waits for no man exhibition at UJ Gallery'. May 2012