At the same time in Johannesburg, a number of young artists like Wayne Barker emerged who were producing work that was comparable with the best internationally while at the same time maintaining a specifically South African identity.

Barker first seized the public's imagination in 1990 when he accused the judges of the Standard Bank National Drawing Competition of having an ethnic bias. He entered two works.

The first was a competent drawing from his "Pierneef" series, entered under his own name. The second was a crude, naive, highly decorative work, produced in only a few hours while he was waiting for his more serious entry to dry. it was entered under the pseudonym of Andrew Moletsi. The former was rejected while the latter was accepted, raising a number of embarrasing questions.

Issues of racism and national identity remain central concerns to all of Barker's work. He appreciates imagery and objects from the urban Johannesburg environment and then re-contextualises them to elucidate their true ideological meaning. Snuff tins, spades, swizzle sticks and washing powder boxes are juxtaposed with targets, original Johannes Maswanganyi sculptures or careful copies of Pierneef paintings. Barker breaks down the boundries between high and low art through his unashamed combinations of kitsch and ornamental objects together with established icons of South African art.

Although his work is often reminiscent of the Conceptual or Post Modern artists, his use of materials is extremely seductive and compelling. Whether oil paint, bronze or neon, the result is always richly articulated with an empathy and understanding of the intrinsic qualities of the medium used. He uses paint in the grand tradition of the Abstract Expressionists while retaining the humour and reflexivity of the Pop Artists.

Over the years he has exhibited in numerous important group exhibitions as well as curated a number of theme shows under the banner of F.I.G.. Earlier this year he won a merit award in the Volkskas Atelier Art Competition, a showcase for young talent. Although this is only Wayne Barker's second one person exhibition, his status in the art world as one of this country's leading artists has already been guaranteed."

Kendell Geers