William Kentridge

For many years, William Kentridge has poetically explored social and political themes that are not only highly relevant in his home country of South Africa, but are universal as well. Kentridge became internationally known in the 1990s with animated short films based on charcoal drawings that interweave personal and political histories. To this day, drawings form the basis of his multifaceted oeuvre, which also includes productions for the opera stage and the conception of new dramatic works.
To mark the 70th birthday of this exceptional artist, the exhibition presents animated films and multimedia works, drawings and printed works as well as sculptures and tapestries from over four decades. One focus is on works that can be linked to the eventful history of the Ruhr region. Works on the rise and fall of the coal and steel industry or on colonialism form an echo chamber for the reflection on regional events. The exhibition is being organised in close collaboration with William Kentridge and in cooperation with the Dresden State Art Collections.

Funded by