Object Details
Maker
Gavin Jantjes, born 1948, South Africa
Label Text
This drawing parallels staple foods with the constellation Eridanus, which enters the night sky at the time of the annual Nile floods.
When researching ideas for this drawing, which is part of his Zulu series, Gavin Jantjes referred to his sketchbooks and notes on astronomy, Khoi San rock painting, and collections of words.
Description
Ink on paper painting depicting a circular grid cut off at the bottom and showing constellations with humans, a group inside a small house-like structure and two with a long rope between them, stars and giraffes over a dark green, blue and purple background.
Exhibition History
African Cosmos: Stellar Arts, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., June 20-December 9, 2012; Newark Museum, February 26-August 11, 2013; Los Angeles County Museum of Art, August 23-November 30, 2014; Michael C. Carlos Museum at Emory University, Atlanta, January 31-June 21, 2015 (exhibited at NMAfA and Carlos Museum)
Insights, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., February 27 to November 28, 2004
Claiming Art / Reclaiming Space: Post Apartheid Art from South Africa, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., June 21-September 26, 1999
Content Statement
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Image Requests
High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/
Credit Line
Purchased with funds provided by the Smithsonian Collections Acquisition Program
Date
1990
Object number
96-23-7
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Copyright
© 1990 Gavin Jantjes
Type
Painting
Medium
Ink on paper
Dimensions
H x W x D: 69.2 × 104.2 cm (27 1/4 × 41 in.)
Geography
South Africa
See more items in
National Museum of African Art Collection
Data Source
National Museum of African Art
Topic
star
giraffe
male
female
house
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmafa_96-23-7