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 21 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 working in Cape Town. His focus is sculpture and the conversation between material and message, engaging painful histories to transform objects that once held power into sites of different presence.

He has exhibited nationally and internationally, including a debut solo show 'GOOD GRIEF' at SMAC gallery (2018, Cape Town) and his most recent solo show 'When I Find Out You'll Be Next to Know' with Kalashnikovv (2023, Johannesburg).

Rodrigues has exhibited in group shows, at art fairs, and his work is included in public sculpture trails and contemporary art collections.