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William Kentridge — Telegrams from the Nose
William Kentridge

Telegrams from the Nose

2008

"Telegrams from the Nose" is a nine part series by South African artist William Kentridge executed in India ink and watercolor on paper, exemplifying his characteristic exploration of bodily forms and gestural mark making. The work engages with themes of communication and the absurd through the anthropomorphic treatment of the nose as a transmitter of information, reflecting Kentridge's interest in how the body becomes a vehicle for meaning and expression. Created within Kentridge's broader practice that spans drawing, animation, and performance, this series demonstrates his distinctive approach to figuration that oscillates between representation and abstraction.

Medium
India ink and watercolor on paper, in 9 parts

🔨 Auction Lot

New Now: Modern & Contemporary Art

February 28, 2025

Lot 139

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About this work

William Kentridge, Telegrams from the Nose, 2008

"Telegrams from the Nose" is a nine part series by South African artist William Kentridge executed in India ink and watercolor on paper, exemplifying his characteristic exploration of bodily forms and gestural mark making. The work engages with themes of communication and the absurd through the anthropomorphic treatment of the nose as a transmitter of information, reflecting Kentridge's interest in how the body becomes a vehicle for meaning and expression. Created within Kentridge's broader practice that spans drawing, animation, and performance, this series demonstrates his distinctive approach to figuration that oscillates between representation and abstraction.

Medium
India ink and watercolor on paper, in 9 parts
Year
2008
Seen at
Phillips, New York, London, Hong Kong

Related themes

Stop Motion Animation, Surreal, Absurdist, Corporeal Expression, Charcoal Drawing, Political Commentary, Video Art, South African, Animated Installation, Contemporary

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