Did you know that a female octopus is known as a hen? – (source: internet)

“In the octopus world, females are boss. They are often larger than males and can pose quite a threat. The male is in a troublesome position because he wants to pass on his genes by mating with a female, but females can turn on their partner quick, strangling him and bringing his carcass back to her den as a meal.” (source: http://www.study.com)

In warm water = to be in or get into a difficult situation in which you are in danger of being criticized or punished

 “Prioritizing their motherly duties, females stop eating. But she doesn’t starve to death–rather,when the eggs hatch the female’s body turns on her. Her body undertakes a cascade of cellular suicide, starting from the optic glands and rippling outward through her tissues and organs until she dies”. (source: http://www.smithsonianmag.com

“The scientific jury is still out as to why these clever, resourceful creatures meet such an ignominious end, but there are several theories. Octopuses are serious cannibals, so a biologically programmed death spiral may be a way to keep mothers from eating their young.” (Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com)

“on being a woman in the arts, on being a woman in South Africa, on being a woman in this world.

ON BEING is a group show featuring some of South Africa’s finest contemporary artists working in a range of mediums: painting, sculpture, drawing, ceramic and mixed media.

Does one celebrate women’s day in South Africa whilst we are facing a national crisis in gender-based violence? Is it tokenism to celebrate women for one day (or a month)? We asked these questions in discussions for this show. Women artists have and continue to hold their own in our space year-round. However, any opportunity to highlight women- we will take. The title of the show aims to speak to the lived experience of women in this country; it calls for celebration and mourning, as being a woman in South Africa means both. 

This exhibition features works not specifically made for a women’s exhibition, but have been selected by the curators as to offer an insight into the interior world of being a woman and to celebrate our artists by highlighting their work. 

We remember the 20 000+ women who marched on the streets in 1956. We pay tribute to them for their courage and strength. We pay tribute to all our women artists. We look to the future, knowing that there is still much to do.”  EVERARD READ FRANSCHOEK GALLERY PRESS RELEASE

The group Exhibition: “ON BEING/A WOMXN’S show” at Everard Read Franschoek openend yesterday and will run until the 7th of September 2020. Please visit their website for more information.