Corrie van der Wath is a Johannesburg-based artist whose work explores the intricate interplay between humanity and technology, with a particular focus on the theme of post-human identity. Grounded in both natural sciences and psychoanalytical theory, Van der Wath's practice reflects a unique merging of traditional art mediums with digital techniques, thereby symbolising the fusion of biological humanity and the evolving influence of technology.

 

Exploring the theme “Post-human identity through hybrid media”, the exhibition is strongly inspired by Yuval Noah Harari's Homo Deus and the concept of evolution. Van der Wath’s sculptures and mixed-media works, which feature water, ink, paint and glue, symbolise the unpredictability of life and the forces of controlled evolution. Once digitised, the works transform into metaphors for the merging of human and technological futures, reflecting the ethical and philosophical questions of our time.

 

Through the lens of Freudian psychology and post-humanist theory, Van der Wath's works question humanity's impulses toward survival, dominance and control. The tension between the desire for progress and the darker temptation of power is central to his exploration. In this light, the works invite viewers’ critical engagement with the themes of transhumanism, the ethical boundaries of AI advancements and the potential impact of these advancements on human identity.

 

Drawing inspiration from artists like Frikkie Eksteen and Marlene Dumas, Van der Wath's art confronts identity, mortality and the human condition with a raw intensity. By embracing both the romantic and melancholic sides of existence, the artist’s work offers a profound reflection on humanity’s quest to transcend its limitations, while pushing the boundaries of what it means to be human in the post-human age.