slightly abstracted nude male figure lying on his PR side, with PL knee slightly drawn up and PR arm curled around head; red background

%C2%A9 William Kentridge. All rights reserved.

Sleeper Red, 1997

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South African artist William Kentridge is internationally known for his politically-inspired art. He often focuses on the issue of social responsibility, an especially powerful subject for those who experienced the violence and hatred created by South African apartheid. In Sleeper Red, Kentridge portrays a male figure (based on his own self-portrait), to represent the archetypical white South African who, by birthright, benefited from this anti-democratic political system. As such, the figure becomes a symbol of all individuals who fail to stand up to social injustice or are otherwise compliant with human suffering.

Details
Title
Sleeper Red
Artist Life
born 1955
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2009.69
Provenance
[Phillips, New York, sale Sept.12, 2006]. [Osborne Samuel, Ltd., London]; sold to MIA, 2009.
Catalogue Raisonne
William Kentridge Prints, 2006, pp. 66, 68-69
Curator Approved

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slightly abstracted nude male figure lying on his PR side, with PL knee slightly drawn up and PR arm curled around head; red background

© William Kentridge. All rights reserved.

Because of © restrictions, we can only show you a small image of this artwork.