Gavin Rain ( 1971 - )

Born 1971 in Cape Town

Studies:

Ruth Prowse Art School, Woodstock Cape Town

Art History, University of Cape Town

Degrees in Psychology and Neuropsychology, University of Cape Town

Artist Statement:

“We underestimate the role played by those who came before us in our actions, and indeed in the fabric of our environment. Many of our actions, and the events we participate in are shaped by the hands of those whose memory and message is all but lost. We need to re-examine, expose and celebrate these people and recognize their continuing contributions to society. We need to step back to see this more often. I want to introduce this dialog into my work – to force people to consider the notion of understanding the visual (and thereby society) at multiple levels. To voice the idea that one needs to remove oneself almost entirely from the literal in order to comprehend that which is subtle, but nevertheless intrinsic.” The themes of my work often echo the style: Hidden in plain sight.

Exhibitions and experience:

Although I’ve been drawing and painting all my life, I only arrived at my current style in the last 5 years. I’ve always concentrated on portraits, most often pieces of a face. For the last 7 years I’ve been working as a digital artist. I exhibited in 2005 at the VEO gallery with Richard Scott, following that up with a solo at the same gallery in 2006. That same year I exhibited in Oudtshoorn in the Flesh! Exhibition at the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees (KKNK). In 2007 I’ve exhibited at Winchester Mansions with the Patrice Boussekey Eclectic Gallery with an exhibition planned in the WorldArt gallery in Johannesburg in September.