RAIN QUEEN OF AFRICA: Liz De Beer'

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Liz De Beer, "Rain Queen of Africa, Poster," 2017

Opening Reception: Tuesday, September 12, 6–8 p.m.

Meet the Artist: Saturday, September 16, 2–3 p.m.

Art Sunday: Sunday, October 1, 2–4 p.m.

For this special Culture Days presentation, Liz will spin tales and provide insight in to her techniques in a behind-the-scenes artist talk.

The legend of the African Rain Queen and her female dynasty provides fertile grounds for the imagination as it is grounded in folklore that stretches back to the 16th century. It has all the elements of a Shakespearian novel: sexuality, incest, murder, rituals and witchcraft played against the background of a rich African canvas. Artist Liz De Beer's own roots lie in Africa and she believes that her clay art reflects this.

In this exhibition, the artist's intention is to expand and develop new sculptural forms inspired by the legend of Queen Modjadji, her numerous wives, their royal consorts and elements rooted in the rituals and culture of this tribe. The exhibition will consist of about 20–25 pieces in total (10–12 of these will be figurative). The figures will be surrounded by the tools of the queen's trade–the magical containers where she stores the ingredients she uses to make rain.

The use of traditional techniques of wood and pit firing versus electric kiln firing and the combination of both methods in the production of clay pots is another facet that is explored in the works.