Feeskunstenaar

Daniel Naudé studied art at Stellenbosch University, and since then his work as a photographer has taken him all over the world. Driven by a sense of exploration and discovery, what he is best known for capturing are meticulously composed moments of stillness.

As festival artist, Naudé offers visitors a first look atStill LIfe, a microscopic diorama project that he has been working on since 2018. Inspired by his childhood visits to museums, insect specimens from the collection of Stellenbosch University Conservation Ecology and Entomology Department are carefully positioned on sets built from quartz, crystals and corals collected by the artist. Oil-painted backdrops complete the scenes, which are then photographed in astounding detail utilising cutting edge photographic techniques. The results are otherworldly depictions of insects that reanimate the entomologist’s specimens, effectively allowing the viewer to experience the moment of wonderment and discovery for themselves.

The exhibition also brings together work from Naudé’s previous projects, since his first encounter with Africanis dogs: Africanis(2007-2010), Animal Farm(2009-2011), Sightings of the Sacred: Cattle in Uganda, Madagascar and India (2012-2014), Bowers in Australia (2014), Pigeon project (2016), Bovine Prophecy (2018-2019), Cattle of the Ages with President Cyril Ramaphosa (2019) enMalagasy Cockerels of Madagascar (2023). Viewers can trace the development of the artist’s interest and style, culminating in the monumental insects depicted in Still life (2018–2026).

ExhibitionSU Museum
3 to 11 OCT 09:00 – 18:00

GUIDED TOUR
8 OCT11:00