SPIER ARTS TRUST  COLLECTION

The painful history of the Cape cannot be avoided. This installation encourages contemplation of this history. The phrase of the work is taken from Brett Bailey’s ’2I Gables’, where the character Sannie says “Ring your bell meneer, ring it loud for soon it will be quiet”. The slave bell used to rule slaves - the installation is an attempt at changing that voice; to bring a different presence to an object that once held so much power.

Tiago Rodrigues is a Portuguese-South African artist living and practicing in Cape Town. His primary focus is on sculpture and the conversation between material and message. He has exhibited work both nationally and internationally, including his debut solo show ‘GOOD GRIEF’ at SMAC gallery in 2018 (Cape Town), as well as his most recent solo show ‘When I Find Out You’ll Be Next to Know” with Kalashnikovv in 2023 (Johannesburg).

Rodrigues has exhibited in several group shows, at art fairs, and has had work included in public sculpture trails and contemporary South African art collections.