“At home in South Africa I have sometimes said in big meetings where you have black and white together: ‘Raise your hands!’ Then I have said: ‘Move your hands,’ and I’ve said ‘Look at your hands – different colors representing different people. You are the Rainbow People of God.’” -Bishop Desmond Tutu

To illustrate this philosophy and also to create a context for future exhibitions, the Kyle Kauffman Gallery presents its inaugural exhibition: Not So Black and White: South African Contemporary Art. From September 4 through October 21, 2007 the gallery will display works from artists including: Esther Mahlangu, William Kentridge, Marlene Dumas, Willie Bester, and Lolo Veleko. This group show will highlight the newest work in painting, photography, sculpture, prints and new media from a broad cross-section of South Africa ’s visual art community.

Not So Black and White aims to reacquaint New York audiences with South African artists who already have a world presence (Kentridge and Dumas) and to introduce others who are known locally in South Africa, but have yet to be exposed to a wider audience. Africa-traditionally overlooked in the world of contemporary visual art-will take center stage in this new forum and the Kyle Kauffman Gallery invites the New York art world and beyond to explore the extraordinary visual art that Africans have to offer.