Dan RAKGOATHE
"Rain - Queen", 1973 - original linocut 15/50 - 38x26 cm
PELMAMA Register AAMC DRAK 73/04
Work acquired in 1990 by
Johannesburg Art Gallery, Johannesburg
as part of the original PELMAMA Permanent Art Collection
Provenance:
The Haenggi Foundation Inc., Johannesburg
Gallery 21, Johannesburg
Work exhibited:
Gallery 21, Johannesburg - Dan Rakgoathe Retrospective Exhibition 1968-1989 ("Behold the mystic sign") (90 works) - 1989
Work listed:
Gallery 21, Johannesburg - Dan Rakgoathe Retrospective Exhibition 1989, cat. 39
Work illustrated:
Fort Hare Papers, Vol. 7, No. 2, Oct. 1980 - p. 123, Pl. 10
Legend (per Fort Hare Papers):
"Rain-Queen symbolizes the cosmos' greatest blessing to man, rain (water), the life-growing agent. The symbolism is further strengthened by the human face peering from the female womb in the process of birth and new life. The figure depicted here symbolises the fertility queen as we encounter her in all cultures through all human history. We note that even her breasts are running, symbolising plenty of life. The figure raises her hands in blessing. We are reminded that not only rain, so necessary for life on earth, emanates from heaven, but that human life itself, that great mystery, is a gift from the cosmos, the life-giving force."