Gordon Froud has been actively involved in the South African and international art world as artist, educator, curator and gallerist for the last 30 years. He has shown on hundreds of solo and group shows in South Africa and overseas and has served on many arts committees throughout South Africa. He has judged many of the important Art competitions from local to national levels in South Africa.
Froud graduated with a BA(FA)Hons from the University of Witwatersrand in 1987, a Higher education Diploma from the same university in 1987 and a master’s degree in Sculpture from the University of Johannesburg in 2009 where he runs the Sculpture department as a senior lecturer. He has taught continuously at school and tertiary level in South Africa and in London since 1990. He directed gordart Gallery in Johannesburg from 2003 to 2009 showcasing work by new, upcoming artists. where he showcased the work of new, up and coming artists. He shows on more than 20 exhibitions a year.
In 2012, Froud participated in 30 shows locally and internationally in Holland, USA and France. He was represented in ‘The Rainbow Nation’ sculpture exhibition in The Hague, Holland and was the first recipient of the Site Specific land art residency in Plettenberg Bay. Froud has curated 2 shows that will travel SA over the next 2 years.
Rooftop IV: Ode to Over-Consumerism
St Lorient Fashion & Art Gallery, Pretoria
29 September - 18 November 2012
Horse
Plastic coat hangers
The annual Rooftop sculpture exhibition, curated by Gordon Froud, features works that reflect on the theme of “over-consumerism”. Featured artists include Amber-Jade Geldenhuys; Anton Smit; Seitosho Motsage; Regardt van der Meulen; Ruhan Janse van Vuuren; Nelson Zido and Lwandiso Njara. A selection of sculptures made of recycled Nandos products by students of the University of Johannesburg are also included in the exhibition reflect inventive ideas using recycled materials.
In today’s consumer driven society, consumption reflects the need for more, constantly craving and consuming leaving behind useless waste. The exhibition features the use of recycled materials to reflect the notion of overconsumption. Using discarded household items, mass-produced plastic hangers and electronic waste, the works try to reflect on issues such as poverty, crime, instant gratification, etc. The large-scale works reflect the scale and apathy of mass and private consumption in society today. Froud‘s works see the use of mass-produced plastic hangers creating large-scale sculptures of majestic animals.
In 2009, the concept of a Rooftop Exhibition was initiated by Lucy Anastasiadis and Gordon Froud. The inaugural group exhibition sees Gordon Froud bring 22 artists under one roof, or rather on one roof. Participating artists include Usha Seejarim, Wilma Cruise, Rossouw van der Walt, Guy du Toit, Francois Visser, Ian Redelinghuys and Richard Forbes
As both curator and artist, Froud's Rooftop exhibition sees large scale works that are visible from the street below. His coathanger Nissian-bakkie replica on the staircase rooftop reminds one of the toy cars one played with when one was a child. Froud's work reflects on the playful and childlike theme.
Arms deal
Rhino
Plastic coat hangers
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