South Africa Pavilion

South Africa Pavilion

South Africa Pavilion

130 X 194 cm     ac     2010/10/19

At the Shanghai World Expo, unlike most African countries, South Africa was unique in having its own independent pavilion, expressing its status as an emerging power marching towards modernization and prosperity. South Africa also held an international Event in 2010: the World Cup Championship Football Game. The rich and varied content of its presentation reflect the multiple facets of culture in South Africa.
 
Dr. Chen selected a few distinctive icons for the artistic expression of this work. Of foremost importance is the portrait of Nelson Mendela, the South Africa National Flag, and the Pavilion’s logo. Responding to these are some multi-colored geometric shapes covering the walls. These kinds of decorative patterns might be a modernized transformation of the traditional totem drawings of animals and plants that one’s ancestors had painted on stone walls.
 
South Africa is also famous for its Krugel National Park — one of the most important wild animal parks in the world. In this work, it is represented by a one-horn rhinoceros. Another poetic icon of Africa is the banyan tree with its large canopy silhouetted by a beautiful sunset, giving a poetic view of the African horizon. Since South Africa is located at the southern tip of the continent, its long coastline is always cut abruptly by steep mountains rushing into the ocean, creating a truly magnificent view.
 
The United Kingdom colonized South Africa in 1879 and created such popular cities as Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg. In this painting, the World Cup Championship and the hockey on horseback suggest the British governing and influence and its integration into the actual state of South Africa.

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