Denk-mal: Relics in Crisis


Sakhile&Me is thrilled to present "Denk-mal: Relics in Crisis", a solo exhibition with Frankfurt-based conceptual artist, Larry Bonćhaka. The exhibition opens on August 24th and coincides with the Frankfurt Art Experience, taking place from September 8-10. The show will conclude on October 7th.

"Relics in Crisis" is an ongoing series of works and performances by Larry Bonćhaka, with the iconic "Auntie DeiDei" dolls, the first mass-produced plastic doll made in West Africa, at the center. "Denkmal" holds a double connotation in German, meaning "monument" but also serving as an incitement to think when written as two words in the form of "denk mal". As part of the show, Larry Bonćhaka will present a critical collection of relics, archival photos and texts, prints, collectibles, and collages that together explore themes of archiving and reflections on related topics including retrospection, time, travel, and trade.

The exhibition includes screen prints, archival photographs, collage works on paper, wall sculptures and three installation pieces, one self-standing in the center of the space, one with Auntie DeiDei dolls embedded in the gallery library collection, encompassing the entire library floor to ceiling and another forming a curtain visitors must encounter and weave their way through from the front room into the main viewing room. The layering of materials within the work varies, to include synthetic indigo, gold leaf, water color, ink, recycled plastic, wallpaper, archival calligraphy paper, and an alter with a small print on canvas surrounded by a bed of coins and trinkets.

On the occasion of the exhibition, we have released a limited-edition print of the exhibition poster for "Denk-mal: Relics in Crisis" in collaboration with Larry Bonćhaka.


Works


Larry Bonćhaka: Ubuntu I

Ubuntu I

Larry Bonćhaka

1962-2023

Auntie DeiDei dolls (recycled plastic)

29 1/2 in diameter (75 cm diameter)

Larry Bonćhaka: Ubuntu II

Ubuntu II

Larry Bonćhaka

1962-2023

Auntie DeiDei dolls (recycled plastic)

29 1/2 in diameter (75 cm diameter)

Larry Bonćhaka: Ubuntu III

Ubuntu III

Larry Bonćhaka

1962-2023

Auntie DeiDei dolls (recycled plastic)

29 1/2 in diameter (75 cm diameter)

Larry Bonćhaka: Ubuntu IV

Ubuntu IV

Larry Bonćhaka

1962-2023

Auntie DeiDei dolls (recycled plastic)

29 1/2 in diameter (75 cm diameter)

Larry Bonćhaka: Reflection

Reflection

Larry Bonćhaka

1962-2023

Gazing ball, Auntie DeiDei doll (recycled plastic), wood box, Indonesian fabric, found object

16 1/2 x 16 1/2 x 11 4/5 in | 42 x 42 x 30 cm

Larry Bonćhaka: Chance

Chance

Larry Bonćhaka

1962-2023

Gazing balls, Auntie DeiDei dolls (recycled plastic), wood box, wallpaper, Indonesian fabric

36 3/5 x 16 7/8 x 14 1/8 in | 93 x 43 x 36 cm

Larry Bonćhaka: Bronzes I

Bronzes I

Larry Bonćhaka

1400

Screenprint, ink and watercolor on fax/cardiograph sheets

23 3/5 x 14 3/5 in | 60 x 37 cm

Larry Bonćhaka: Bronzes II

Bronzes II

Larry Bonćhaka

1400

Screenprint, ink and watercolor on fax/cardiograph sheets

23 3/5 x 14 3/5 in | 60 x 37 cm

Larry Bonćhaka: Bronzes III

Bronzes III

Larry Bonćhaka

1400

Screenprint, ink and watercolor on fax/cardiograph sheets

23 3/5 x 14 3/5 in | 60 x 37 cm

Larry Bonćhaka: Bronzes in Motion I

Bronzes in Motion I

Larry Bonćhaka

1400-2023

Screenprint on archival paper

27 1/2 x 19 3/4 in | 70 x 50 cm

Larry Bonćhaka: Bronzes in Motion II

Bronzes in Motion II

Larry Bonćhaka

1400-2023

Screenprint on archival paper

27 1/2 x 19 3/4 in | 70 x 50 cm

Larry Bonćhaka: Bronzes in Motion III

Bronzes in Motion III

Larry Bonćhaka

1400-2023

Screenprint on archival paper

27 1/2 x 19 3/4 in | 70 x 50 cm

Edition of 3 + 1 AP

Larry Bonćhaka: Bronzes (Falling in Love) I

Bronzes (Falling in Love) I

Larry Bonćhaka

1400-2023

Collage, ink and watercolor on fax/cardiograph sheets

11 4/5 x 14 3/5 in | 30 x 37 cm

Larry Bonćhaka: Bronzes (Falling in Love) II

Bronzes (Falling in Love) II

Larry Bonćhaka

1400-2023

Collage, ink and watercolor on fax/cardiograph sheets

11 4/5 x 14 3/5 in | 30 x 37 cm

Larry Bonćhaka: Bronzes (I am)

Bronzes (I am )

Larry Bonćhaka

1400-2023

Collage, ink and watercolor on fax/cardiograph sheets

14 3/5 x 11 4/5 in | 37 x 30 cm