Dave Robertson (artist)

Dave Robertson (born in Zimbabwe, 1961) is a South African visual artist currently living and working in Cape Town. His photographic work is primarily a form of social commentary. His first photographic book,'Plakkerskamp, Bonnievale 2003 -2012', was published by a humanitarian organisation in Luxembourg, Europe. The book spans nine years and documents a group of people living in an informal settlement near Bonnievale, a few hours from Cape Town. Dave is particularly well known for his series of expressionist, hand-painted photographs of township scenes in South Africa. These images of marginalised lifestyles originated as black and white photographs, and had their roots in the pre-democratic period of South African history. In 2010 he turned to abstract painting. His first exhibition of large-scale abstract paintings showed at Worldart gallery in Cape Town in 2011. Robertson has also worked for many years, as a freelance art director in the film industry.

Exhibitions

• 2013 'Plakkerskamp,Bonnievale 2003-2012', Salle culturelle Kaundorf, Luxembourg.
• 2012 'Plakkerskamp,Bonnievale 2003-2012', Chateau de Wiltz, Luxembourg
• 2011 'concrete trails urban tales', Worldart Gallery, Cape Town
• 2010 'Point of Focus', (Group show),Kalk Bay Modern, Cape Town.
• 2010 'Bonani Africa Festival', (Group show),Cape Town.
• 2010 Spier Contemporary 2010 : Award Winner for 'Paper Trails' documentary series.
• 2009 "Spirit of Ubuntu", (Group show), Exposure Gallery, Cape Town.
• 2008 "Rain", Focus Contemporary Gallery, Cape Town.
• 2007 "Abstract Egypt", Abstract photography Focus Contemporary Gallery, Cape Town.
• 2007 "CT 24", (Group show), Focus Contemporary Gallery, Cape Town.
• 2005 "Remember", Abstract photography Irma Stern Gallery, Cape Town.
• 2004 "De Dependance", Smelik & Stokking, Den Haag, Netherlands.
• 2004 "PhotoLA 2004",The Perfect Exposure Gallery, LA, USA.
• 2001 "Collaborative art", The Upstairs Gallery, Cape Town.
• 2001 "Absolut Cape Town", (Group show), Pinnacle Building, Cape Town.
• 2000 "Metaphysical photography", Upstairs Gallery, Cape Town.
• 2000 "Collaboration", (Group show), Bell-Roberts Gallery, Cape Town.
• 1999 "Colour Spirit", Jazz Radio Station, Berlin, Germany.
• 1999 Exhibition of lithographs: Kim Sacks Gallery, Johannesburg.
• 1998 "Colour Spirit", Marzahn Library, Berlin, Germany.
• 1998 "Colour Spirit", ARTCO, Leipzig, Germany.
• 1998 "Colour Spirit", Jojo Centre, Berlin, Germany.
• 1998 "Colour Spirit", Ariadne Gallery, Pamos, Cyprus.