FABULA OBSCURA TRINITY


AN EXPLORATION OF SEXUAL LIBERATION FROM THE HEART OF AFRICA

Fabula Obscura means 'Dark Story'. 

Xavier and Vanessa, both from Congo, take the role of Adam and Eve in a revolutionary twist of Genesis.

MANIFEST

STORIES DEFINE WHO WE ARE. SOME STORIES TAKE A DARK TURN. MEN’S ORIGIN IS SUCH A STORY. WE WAKE UP IN PARADISE, UNTIL OUR CURIOSITY BECOMES OUR DAMNATION.

COULD OUR FALL BE AN INESCAPABLE AWAKENING? MAYBE OUR ORIGINAL SIN IS NOT THE ACT OF LUST ITSELF, BUT A DENIAL OF OUR SEXUAL ENERGY. MAYBE OUR WISH TO BE MORE THAN WE ARE, PERFECT, PURE AND GOD-LIKE, IS A COLLECTIVE OPEN WOUND.

ARE WE DESTINED TO HIDE, FROM OUR NATURAL DESIRES? OR IS PARADISE WAITING AROUND THE CORNER, WHEN WE MUSTER THE COURAGE TO STARE OUR SERPENT OF SHAME STRAIGHT BACK IN THE EYE? 

FABULA OBSCURA TRINITY

is part of a larger international exhibition - FABULA OBSCURA MAGNA, consisting of 16 images.

On display in Amsterdam this September 2021.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

STEFAN (1989) MOVED TO BUENOS AIRES AS A TEENAGER, WHERE HE WAS INSPIRED BY THE BLEND OF EUROPEAN CHIC AND LATIN SENSUALNESS, HE NOW RESIDES IN AMSTERDAM AND CAPE TOWN.

‘I GREW UP IN A VILLAGE NEAR THE GERMAN BORDER. ALTHOUGH BOTH MY PARENTS ARE CONSIDERED LIBERAL, SOMETHING ABOUT MYSELF CLICKED WHEN MY FATHER TOLD ME ABOUT HOW MY GRAND PARENTS, ON BOTH SIDES, WERE FORCED TO WED IN BLACK IN THE BACK OF THE CHURCH. DUE TO THE NATURE OF THEIR PREMERITAL PREGNANCY. ALL FOUR OF THEM WERE EXPOSED TO AN IDEA THAT SOMETHING WAS TERRIBLY WRONG WITH THEM. THIS CATHOLIC GUILT WOULD PASS ON TO THE NEXT GENERATION - AND THE NEXT. I HAVE ALWAYS FELT AN UNSPOKEN SHAME ON THE SUBJECT OF SEX, AND BEING A GAY MAN, I FURTHER INTERNALIZED AN IDEA OF WRONGNESS. LIKE ANYTHING WE FAIL TO CONFRONT, IT ALWAYS COMES BACK KNOCKING ON OUR DOOR.’

FABULA OBSCURA IS A REVOLUTIONARY TWIST OF GENESIS, A VISUAL JOURNEY ABOUT THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF SHAME AND A CELEBRATION OF BEING A SEXUAL BEING.

PREVIOUS: HORSEMEN / CREATIVE DESTRUCTION (2018)
A LIMITED EDITION PRINT SERIES ON THE BEAUTY OF DEMONS WE TRY AND OUTRUN 

AVAILABILITY PRINTS

FABULA OBSCURA - TRINITY is a limited print collection in 85x60 exclusively for the South African market. 

ACT III. Struggle
EPSON Water color matt finish 85x60 cm Mango wood Signed Limited edition of 9 - Price upon request
ACT IV. Sunkissed
EPSON Water color matt finish 85X60 cm Mango wood Signed Limited edition of 9 - Price upon request
ACT II. Unveil
EPSON Water color matt finish 85X60 cm Mango wood Signed Limited edition of 9 - Price upon request
ACT III. Struggle
EPSON Water color matt finish 85x60 cm Mango wood Signed Limited edition of 9 - Price upon request
ACT IV. Sunkissed
EPSON Water color matt finish 85X60 cm Mango wood Signed Limited edition of 9 - Price upon request
ACT II. Unveil
EPSON Water color matt finish 85X60 cm Mango wood Signed Limited edition of 9 - Price upon request
ACT III. Struggle
EPSON Water color matt finish 85x60 cm Mango wood Signed Limited edition of 9 - Price upon request
ACT IV. Sunkissed
EPSON Water color matt finish 85X60 cm Mango wood Signed Limited edition of 9 - Price upon request
ACT II. Unveil
EPSON Water color matt finish 85X60 cm Mango wood Signed Limited edition of 9 - Price upon request

THE ATHLETIC & SOCIAL

Please enjoy the collection on public display in the restaurant / lounge of the Athletic Social Club in Cape Town, across the Dutch Embassy. From 20th of May until 20th July.

Using Format