Orange hosts major installation by acclaimed South African artist William Kentridge

Local art lovers have a unique opportunity to experience one of the most significant works by internationally acclaimed artist William Kentridge.

Until June 26, the Orange Regional Gallery will host the large-scale, eight-screen video installation I am not me, the horse is not mine. Regarded as one of the South African artist’s most ambitious and celebrated moving image works, it is arguably the most significant work by the artist in an Australian museum collection.

“William Kentridge is one of the world's leading contemporary artists and the work that has been shown here has been shown at the Tate Gallery in London and at the Museum of Modern art in New York; it is just wonderful to be able to bring it here thanks to the Art Gallery of New South Wales,” said Orange Regional Gallery Director, Brad Hammond.

I am not me, the horse is not mine incorporates stop-motion animation, live-action, archival video, and a soundtrack by acclaimed South African composer Philip Miller. The eight, six-minutes short film are played on a loop and takes some inspiration from Dmitry Shostakovich’s satirical opera, The Nose (1928), which is based on an 1837 short story by Russian author, Nikolai Gogol.

It was gifted to the Art Gallery of New South Wales by Anita and Luca Belgiorno-Nettis in 2017.

“This is the first international artist that's been at the gallery for probably almost two decades,” said Mr Hammond, adding that the recent extension to the gallery has given them greater flexibility to host major installations such as this one.

“It is really exciting because [the Art Gallery of New South Wales] are also seeing a lot of potential for this new space of ours, and it is wonderful that they've decided to launch this national tour here in Orange,” he said.

Alongside the exhibition there will be a documentary screening about the artist William Kentridge in the new 73-seat theatre, built as part of the gallery extension.

“I'm really thrilled with this addition to the extension,” said Mr Hammond of the new theatre, “It means when we bring exhibitions which are new for people or challenging, then they can come in a learn… get that sense that they've net the artist or seen them at work. So that's what we will use this space in the future.”

Launched at Orange Regional Gallery by Dr Michael Brand, Director of the Art Gallery of New South Wales last Friday, 25 March, the exhibition is expected to be a popular attraction during FOOD Week.

I am not me, the horse is not mine will be at the Orange Regional Gallery until June 26, when it will move on to the Griffith University Art Museum in Queensland. Orange Regional Gallery is open every day from 10am to 4pm.