BIOGRAPHY
Chris Soal (b. 1994, South Africa) is an award-winning, emerging artist. Living and working between Johannesburg — a “city in tension” as Soal calls it — and Cape Town, has had a great impact on the artist’s work, as this position is “often about locating oneself in that space, both as a response and a critique.” Through his use of discarded and mundane ephemera, such as toothpicks and bottle caps, in conjunction with concrete, rebar, electric fencing cable and other industrial materials, Soal’s work examines structural impacts on urban living, reflects on the individual in relation to the collective, and foregrounds ecological concerns.
Soal’s spatial approach to sculpture reveals a sensitivity to texture, light and form, expressed in an abstract minimalist language. While, conceptually, his works refer to the socio-political context of their making, highlighting the histories embedded in the found material, and utilising them in a way that challenges societal assumptions of value.
In 2017, Soal graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts (Hons) at the University of Witwatersrand. He has received numerous awards, such as the Claire & Edoardo Villa Will Trust Grant, 2020; the SEED Award from the Southern African Foundation for Contemporary Art (SAFFCA), 2019 and the PPC Imaginarium Award in 2018. He has been awarded residencies by the South African Foundation of Contemporary Art, Knysna, South Africa; RAW Material Company, Dakar, Senegal); Residenza Roma by Montoro12, Italy, and by the Nirox Sculpture Park at the Cradle of Humankind in Johannesburg, South Africa.
He has exhibited in group shows at institutions such as the Nirox Sculpture Park, 2021; Iziko South African National Museum, 2020; FRAC MECA, Bordeaux, 2019; Stellenbosch University Museum, 2018, and Wits Art Museum, 2017. Most recently his solo exhibition, As below so above, was held at WHATIFTHEWORLD Gallery in 2021. Notably, Soal was selected as one of ten contemporary artists to participate in redesigning three handbags as part of the 5th edition of the Dior Lady Art project.
Chris Soal’s work has been included in many notable private and public collections, both locally and internationally.
–
Portrait by Tshego Mako.
CONTACT
GALLERY
NEWS
FEBRUARY
MAY - NIROX FOUNDATION
WHATIFTHEWORLD and Chris Soal are pleased to present Elegy at The Nirox Foundation’s The Covered Space. In response to the context and conditions of the exhibition space, key works spanning the last four years have been selected from the artist’s own collection.
Elegy touches on themes of ruins, decay, erosion, the relic and effigy, and stands in conversation with the artist’s first large-scale outdoor installation, Relic (2019-2021).
︎Click here for more information.
MAY - NIROX FOUNDATION SCULPTURE PARK
Chris Soal is pleased to announce the inclusion of his work in the group exhibition – Margins of Error at the Nirox Foundation Sculpture Garden in Johannesburg.
︎Click here for more information.
WHATIFTHEWORLD and Chris Soal are pleased to present Elegy at The Nirox Foundation’s The Covered Space. In response to the context and conditions of the exhibition space, key works spanning the last four years have been selected from the artist’s own collection.
Elegy touches on themes of ruins, decay, erosion, the relic and effigy, and stands in conversation with the artist’s first large-scale outdoor installation, Relic (2019-2021).
︎Click here for more information.
MAY - NIROX FOUNDATION SCULPTURE PARK
Chris Soal is pleased to announce the inclusion of his work in the group exhibition – Margins of Error at the Nirox Foundation Sculpture Garden in Johannesburg.
︎Click here for more information.
CURRICULUM VITAE
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2021 - Elegy,
Nirox Foundation,
Johannesburg
2021 - Sleight and Substance,
Montoro 12,
Brussels
2021 - As below so above,
WHATIFTHEWORLD,
Cape Town
2019 – Field of Vision,
WHATIFTHEWORLD,
Cape Town
2019 –
TOMORROWS/TODAY,
Curated by Tumelo Mosaka,
Investec Cape Town Art Fair
Cape Town
2018 – Orbits of Relating,
No End Contemporary Art Space,
Johannesburg
Nirox Foundation,
Johannesburg
2021 - Sleight and Substance,
Montoro 12,
Brussels
2021 - As below so above,
WHATIFTHEWORLD,
Cape Town
2019 – Field of Vision,
WHATIFTHEWORLD,
Cape Town
2019 –
TOMORROWS/TODAY,
Curated by Tumelo Mosaka,
Investec Cape Town Art Fair
Cape Town
2018 – Orbits of Relating,
No End Contemporary Art Space,
Johannesburg
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2021 - Margins of Error,
Nirox Sculpture Park,
Johannesburg
2020 – Matereality
Iziko South African National Gallery
Cape Town
2019 – Process
BKhz,
Braamfontein
2019 – Il est une fois à l’Ouest.
Frac Nouvelle-Aquitaine MÉCA
Bordeaux, France
2018 – Germination
RAW Material Company
Dakar, Senegal
2018 – Forward? Forward! Forward …,
Curated by Ulrich Wolff and Elizabeth Miller-Vermeulen,
Stellenbosch University Museum,
Stellenbosch
2018 – Beyond Troubled Water(s)
Curated by Indra Wussouw, as part of GONG LAUT
The First Singaraja International Art Forum
Bali, Indonesia
2018 – Fresh Voices: Emerging Talent from SA, Mozambique and Zimbabwe
Guns and Rain Gallery
Johannesburg
2017 – Washington186 Inaugural Exhibition
Aeroplastics Contemporary
Brussels, Belgium
2017 – NEWWORK19
Wits Art Museum
Johannesburg
2016 – undermine
A Collaborative Group Occupation
Curated by Chris Soal,
Johannesburg
2016 – The Point of Order
Johannesburg
2016 –
#ULTRACONTEMPORARY
#EMERGENCYART#AFRICA
Held at the MOAD – Museum of African Design
Johannesburg
2016 – Activate/Captivate: Collections Re-engagement
Wits Art Museum
Johannesburg
Nirox Sculpture Park,
Johannesburg
2020 – Matereality
Iziko South African National Gallery
Cape Town
2019 – Process
BKhz,
Braamfontein
2019 – Il est une fois à l’Ouest.
Frac Nouvelle-Aquitaine MÉCA
Bordeaux, France
2018 – Germination
RAW Material Company
Dakar, Senegal
2018 – Forward? Forward! Forward …,
Curated by Ulrich Wolff and Elizabeth Miller-Vermeulen,
Stellenbosch University Museum,
Stellenbosch
2018 – Beyond Troubled Water(s)
Curated by Indra Wussouw, as part of GONG LAUT
The First Singaraja International Art Forum
Bali, Indonesia
2018 – Fresh Voices: Emerging Talent from SA, Mozambique and Zimbabwe
Guns and Rain Gallery
Johannesburg
2017 – Washington186 Inaugural Exhibition
Aeroplastics Contemporary
Brussels, Belgium
2017 – NEWWORK19
Wits Art Museum
Johannesburg
2016 – undermine
A Collaborative Group Occupation
Curated by Chris Soal,
Johannesburg
2016 – The Point of Order
Johannesburg
2016 –
#ULTRACONTEMPORARY
#EMERGENCYART#AFRICA
Held at the MOAD – Museum of African Design
Johannesburg
2016 – Activate/Captivate: Collections Re-engagement
Wits Art Museum
Johannesburg
COLLABORATIONS
2020 – Selected as one of ten contemporary artists to participate in the 5th edition of the Dior Lady Art project.
AWARDS
2020 – Recipient of The Claire & Edoardo Villa Will Trust Grant.
2019 – SEED Award
Presented by the Southern African Foundation for Contemporary Art (SAFFCA) - For career acknolwedgment.
2018 – PPC Imaginarium Award, Overall winner, and winner of the Sculpture category.
2019 – SEED Award
Presented by the Southern African Foundation for Contemporary Art (SAFFCA) - For career acknolwedgment.
2018 – PPC Imaginarium Award, Overall winner, and winner of the Sculpture category.
RESIDENCIES
2021 - Nirox Foundation Residency, Nirox Sculpture Park, Johannesburg
2019 – Roma Residenza, hosted by Montoro 12, Rome
2018 – Fellow of the RAW Academié Session 5, directed by Otobong Nkanga. RAW Material Company. Dakar, Senegal
2018 – Southern African Foundation for Contemporary Art. Co-resident with Minnette Vari. Entabeni Farm, Knysna
2019 – Roma Residenza, hosted by Montoro 12, Rome
2018 – Fellow of the RAW Academié Session 5, directed by Otobong Nkanga. RAW Material Company. Dakar, Senegal
2018 – Southern African Foundation for Contemporary Art. Co-resident with Minnette Vari. Entabeni Farm, Knysna
COLLECTIONS
Chris Soal has work in numerous private and public collections, both in South Africa and Internationally. Notable collections include:
The Beth Rudin DeWoody Collection (The Bunker Artspace), USA
The Braunsfelder Family Collection, Germany
Galila’s P.O.C. - The Collection of Galila Barzilaï-Hollander, Belgium
The Sylt Foundation Collection, Germany
Southern African Foundation for Contemporary Art (SAFFCA), South Africa and France
Modern Art Projects, South Africa
First Rand Bank, Corporate Collection, South Africa
The Department of Arts and Culture, South Africa
The Rupert Family Collection, South Africa
Barloworld Corporate Collection, South Africa
The Ackerman-Berman Collection, South Africa
The Tollman Family Collection, South Africa and UK
Tisot Art Collection Trust, Italy
The Beth Rudin DeWoody Collection (The Bunker Artspace), USA
The Braunsfelder Family Collection, Germany
Galila’s P.O.C. - The Collection of Galila Barzilaï-Hollander, Belgium
The Sylt Foundation Collection, Germany
Southern African Foundation for Contemporary Art (SAFFCA), South Africa and France
Modern Art Projects, South Africa
First Rand Bank, Corporate Collection, South Africa
The Department of Arts and Culture, South Africa
The Rupert Family Collection, South Africa
Barloworld Corporate Collection, South Africa
The Ackerman-Berman Collection, South Africa
The Tollman Family Collection, South Africa and UK
Tisot Art Collection Trust, Italy
PRESS
REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS AND ARTICLES
INTERVIEW
︎ with Adam Hencz for Artland
INTERVIEW
︎ with Artoday
CHRIS SOAL’S COLLABORATION WITH LADY DIOR ART
︎ by Celeste Jacobs for VISI Magazine
INTERVIEW
︎ on As below so above for Tongues
INTERVIEW
︎ with Emilie Froment for Habitat Magazine
AMORPHOUS - THE SCULPTURES
OF CHRIS SOAL
︎ by Andrew Lasane for COLOSSAL
JOHANNESBURG ARTIST’S TOOTHPICK SCULPTURES POINT WAY FOR AFRICAN ABSTRACTION
︎ by Graham Wood on Wanted Online
︎ with Adam Hencz for Artland
INTERVIEW
︎ with Artoday
CHRIS SOAL’S COLLABORATION WITH LADY DIOR ART
︎ by Celeste Jacobs for VISI Magazine
INTERVIEW
︎ on As below so above for Tongues
INTERVIEW
︎ with Emilie Froment for Habitat Magazine
AMORPHOUS - THE SCULPTURES
OF CHRIS SOAL
︎ by Andrew Lasane for COLOSSAL
JOHANNESBURG ARTIST’S TOOTHPICK SCULPTURES POINT WAY FOR AFRICAN ABSTRACTION
︎ by Graham Wood on Wanted Online
ORBITS OF RELATING REVIEW
︎ by Michael Smith on ArtThrob
︎ by Michael Smith on ArtThrob
INFORMATION
BIOGRAPHY
Portrait by Matthew Bradley.
Chris Soal (b. 1994, South Africa) is an award-winning, emerging artist.
Living and working between Johannesburg — a “city in tension” as Soal calls it — and Cape Town, has had a great impact on the artist’s work, as this position is “often about locating oneself in that space, both as a response and a critique.” Through his use of discarded and mundane ephemera, such as toothpicks and bottle caps, in conjunction with concrete, rebar, electric fencing cable and other industrial materials, Soal’s work examines structural impacts on urban living, reflects on the individual in relation to the collective, and foregrounds ecological concerns.
Soal’s spatial approach to sculpture reveals a sensitivity to texture, light and form, expressed in an abstract minimalist language. While, conceptually, his works refer to the socio-political context of their making, highlighting the histories embedded in the found material, and utilising them in a way that challenges societal assumptions of value.
In 2017, Soal graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts (Hons) at the University of Witwatersrand. He has received numerous awards, such as the Claire & Edoardo Villa Will Trust Grant, 2020; the SEED Award from the Southern African Foundation for Contemporary Art (SAFFCA), 2019 and the PPC Imaginarium Award in 2018. He has been awarded residencies by the South African Foundation of Contemporary Art, Knysna, South Africa; RAW Material Company, Dakar, Senegal); Residenza Roma by Montoro12, Italy, and by the Nirox Sculpture Park at the Cradle of Humankind in Johannesburg, South Africa.
He has exhibited in group shows at institutions such as the Nirox Sculpture Park, 2021; Iziko South African National Museum, 2020; FRAC MECA, Bordeaux, 2019; Stellenbosch University Museum, 2018, and Wits Art Museum, 2017. Most recently his solo exhibition, As below so above, was held at WHATIFTHEWORLD Gallery in 2021. Notably, Soal was selected as one of ten contemporary artists to participate in redesigning three handbags as part of the 5th edition of the Dior Lady Art project.
GALLERY
WHATIFTHEWORLD
www.whatiftheworld.com
16 Buiten Street, Cape Town
South Africa
Montoro 12
www.m12gallery.com
Rome and Brussels
www.whatiftheworld.com
16 Buiten Street, Cape Town
South Africa
Montoro 12
www.m12gallery.com
Rome and Brussels
NEWS
MAY - NIROX FOUNDATION
WHATIFTHEWORLD and Chris Soal are pleased to present Elegy at The Nirox Foundation’s The Covered Space. In response to the context and conditions of the exhibition space, key works spanning the last four years have been selected from the artist’s own collection.
Elegy touches on themes of ruins, decay, erosion, the relic and effigy, and stands in conversation with the artist’s first large-scale outdoor installation, Relic (2019-2021).
︎Click here for more information.
MAY - NIROX FOUNDATION SCULPTURE PARK
Chris Soal is pleased to announce the inclusion of his work in the group exhibition – Margins of Error at the Nirox Foundation Sculpture Garden in Johannesburg.
︎Click here for more information.
WHATIFTHEWORLD and Chris Soal are pleased to present Elegy at The Nirox Foundation’s The Covered Space. In response to the context and conditions of the exhibition space, key works spanning the last four years have been selected from the artist’s own collection.
Elegy touches on themes of ruins, decay, erosion, the relic and effigy, and stands in conversation with the artist’s first large-scale outdoor installation, Relic (2019-2021).
︎Click here for more information.
MAY - NIROX FOUNDATION SCULPTURE PARK
Chris Soal is pleased to announce the inclusion of his work in the group exhibition – Margins of Error at the Nirox Foundation Sculpture Garden in Johannesburg.
︎Click here for more information.
PALIMPSEST: CHRIS SOAL’S SCULPTURES REVEAL MANY MEANINGS
︎ by Drew Haller for That Eclectic
‘WITNESS’ EXHIBIT HIGHLIGHTS CONTEMPORARY AFRICAN AND AFRICAN DIASPORA ARTISTS
︎ by Sergy Odiduro for Artbust
INTERVIEW
︎ with Adam Hencz for Artland
INTERVIEW
︎ with Artoday
CHRIS SOAL’S COLLABORATION WITH LADY DIOR ART
︎ by Celeste Jacobs for VISI Magazine
INTERVIEW
︎ on As below so above for Tongues
INTERVIEW
︎ with Emilie Froment for Habitat Magazine
AMORPHOUS - THE SCULPTURES
OF CHRIS SOAL
︎ by Andrew Lasane for COLOSSAL
JOHANNESBURG ARTIST’S TOOTHPICK SCULPTURES POINT WAY FOR AFRICAN ABSTRACTION
︎ by Graham Wood on Wanted Online
︎ by Drew Haller for That Eclectic
‘WITNESS’ EXHIBIT HIGHLIGHTS CONTEMPORARY AFRICAN AND AFRICAN DIASPORA ARTISTS
︎ by Sergy Odiduro for Artbust
INTERVIEW
︎ with Adam Hencz for Artland
INTERVIEW
︎ with Artoday
CHRIS SOAL’S COLLABORATION WITH LADY DIOR ART
︎ by Celeste Jacobs for VISI Magazine
INTERVIEW
︎ on As below so above for Tongues
INTERVIEW
︎ with Emilie Froment for Habitat Magazine
AMORPHOUS - THE SCULPTURES
OF CHRIS SOAL
︎ by Andrew Lasane for COLOSSAL
JOHANNESBURG ARTIST’S TOOTHPICK SCULPTURES POINT WAY FOR AFRICAN ABSTRACTION
︎ by Graham Wood on Wanted Online