First exhibition of the year opens at David Krut
David Krut Projects is pleased to present Surface Tension, a new showcase by Bevan de Wet. This exhibition features a collection of paper pulp paintings and monotypes that explore the intersections of materiality, ecology, and human intervention. Using Sisal fibers, hemp fibers, and recycled cotton, the work begins as pulp, which is then pigmented with watercolors and drawing inks. The pulp is poured or hand-placed into molds, and as it dries, it contracts into rigid yet permeable sheets. These evolving surfaces take on abstract forms that evoke biomorphic textures and geological strata.
The engagement with the surface is an almost archaeological process of unearthing, exploring thresholds and permeability, while blurring the line between surface and depth. The repeated patterns and perforations mimic natural sequences, creating a tension between the structured and the organic.
De Wet’s playful exploration of paper pulp and pigments showcases the material’s vast potential and versatility for sculpture. By transforming the humblest of artist tools into intricate handmade objects, the paper’s diverse textures add depth and visual interest, elevating the works to a sculptural level.
The use of Sisal, an invasive plant species in South Africa, thematically connects notions of human impact to broader ecological systems. By transforming these invasive fibers into enduring forms, de Wet reimagines the balance between intervention and preservation, speaking to themes of reclamation, adaptation, and humanity’s effect on the delicate equilibrium of ecosystems.
De Wet views these works as abstract topographies—visual maps of interconnected systems rather than literal landscapes. The repetitive perforations and layered textures echo the rhythms of erosion, growth, and decay found in natural processes. These marks suggest a temporal and geological perspective, reflecting humanity’s shifting relationship with the land and the resilience of natural forms beyond human influence.
Through this tactile and intuitive exploration, Surface Tension reflects on nature’s resilience and the interconnected systems that sustain life. The works invite viewers to consider humanity’s role within these fragile and evolving ecosystems.
The exhibition opens on 1 February 2025.
