Xanthe Somers' sculptures present a way of reflecting on the fraught relationship between the past and present. The large-scale, intricate ceramic works are informed by the politics of aesthetics and in particular how her country’s colonial history continues to manipulate aesthetic values. Through weaving, wax fabric, granite stone and other materials, she combines age-old Zimbabwean traditions with social commentary that create a sense of play, bright colours, mocking tone and exaggerated shapes in order to challenge the prevailing ideas associated with normalcy, beauty and refinement.

Somers studied Fine Art (Hons) at Michaelis School of Fine Art, University of Cape Town and then progressed into an MA in Postcolonial Culture and Global Policy at Goldsmiths, University of London. Having exhibited globally, her work is part of institutional and private collections including the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

Xanthe Somers will be presented by Galerie REVEL.