There are undeniable issues facing South Africa. Corruption plagues state-owned entities that have been run into the ground, the public education system is severely underfunded, and many communities face social polarisation.
These are all problems that need thorough examination and critique. However, using problematic visual depictions and presenting white South Africans as victims of ‘woke cancel culture’ is probably not the means to shed light on these socio-political problems.
Yet, this is what Anton Kannemeyer’s Breeding Ground of Fear art exhibition at the 2023 Toyota SU Woordfees seemingly does. Kannemeyer aims to examine “cancel culture, the woke mentality and the lack of humour and self-irony in the ideology currently being taught to young people”, according to the Woordfees website. ‘
When Anton Kannemeyer held his first solo exhibition in South Africa in 2015, “satire saw its demise on several platforms around the world”. This was according to the 2023 Toyota SU Woordfees. Pictured above are artworks from Kannemeyer’s Breeding Ground of Fear exhibition on display at Woordfees. PHOTO: Daniel Roodt
Intentional provocation
Based on various interviews in the past, Kannemeyer makes no effort to hide that his art is meant to provoke reactions and go against mainstream opinions.
However, in South Africa where the majority of land and wealth is owned by white South Africans, this exhibition feels closer to a public display of feeling victimised than anything else.
This view cannot be escaped as Kannemeyer centres himself as the protagonist in these artworks and places himself as an apparent victim of cancel culture. In an artwork on display, Kannemeyer is depicted holding a gun to his head with the caption, “I’m [on] the wrong side of history?”
Anton Kannemeyer’s Breeding Ground of Fear exhibition will be on display at the 2023 Toyota SU Woordfees until 13 October. PHOTO: Daniel Roodt
Racist portrayals
One artwork that stands out is an illustration of trains lying burning on the floor, a burning South African Airways (SAA) aircraft and burning power stations, likely in reference to the collapse of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, SAA and Eskom, respectively.
These are issues that affect millions of South Africans and have cost citizens billions of taxpayer Rands. However, the valid criticism of the current African National Congress (ANC) government is overshadowed by the large (white) superhero with the three flags used in the old South African apartheid flag emblazoned on his chest.
The superhero is depicted looking down on Gwede Mantashe, the former ANC secretary general, saying, “No, I am not angry, I am just disappointed”.
Despite Kannemeyer’s claims otherwise, the artwork feels like a glorification of the apartheid state in an attempt to critique the issues currently facing South Africa.
Kannemeyer’s exhibition is on display at the Stellenbosch University Museum until 13 October, during the 2023 Toyota SU Woordfees.