The artist’s fascination with books became evident in Biblioteek/Library (2013) at the Stellenbosch Woordfees, followed by Streeksbiblioteek (2013) at the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees and Landmeter/Land Surveyor (2013) at the Aardklop National Arts Festival in Potchefstroom.

In Co Author, Bisschoff has collaborated with select artists to produce a body of works. These artists selected by Bisschoff and for whom he has respect and admires, includes among others Stephen Rosin, Robert Hamblin, Gordon Fraud, Sarel Petrus and Vusi Beauchamp. Most of the work will be centered on the use of found books, which are used as the primary canvas for the artworks. The focus is on oil painting and the permeating landscape. The sculptural, abstract and visceral elements of the book will come to the fore when linking artworks of different disciplines. Bisschoff explores and joins ongoing debates around ‘the curator as artist/the artist as curator’. “The idea of ‘the curator as artist’ also comes into play, and is hopefully dismissed, seeing as the ‘curator’ in this case is merely a co author, and not a publisher.”

The exhibition is a play between art forms, both formal and informal, where the act of making carries equal parts of method and meaning. The various artworks were not necessarily made with the other in mind, but rather given a breath of life as a companion piece to each other. Often the used books will act as middleman - giving up its title, content, dog ears or cover for a new dimension in a singular piece. Furthermore, Co Author builds tension between Modernist and Post Modernist schools of thought. Modernist landscape painting is continuously confronted by Post Modern mediums and techniques – challenging traditional ideas around landscape painting.

In 2000, Bisschoff received a B.Tech degree in Fine Arts from the Pretoria Technikon. Since 2002, Bischoff has had numerous solo exhibitions and Co Author is Bisschoff’s first solo exhibition at Lizamore & Associates gallery. His solo exhibition, Streeksbiblioteek, was nominated at the Kanna Awards for the best exhibition at the KKNK 2013. Streeksbiblioteek is also nominated for a KykNet Fiesta for the best exhibition at a South African festival in 2013. This award ceremony will take place towards the end of February. The artist’s work is represented in the Sasol, Sanlam and the Spier art collections as well as in various private collections in South Africa, London, USA, Brazil and Europe.

The exhibition opens at 18:00 on Wednesday, 5 February and closes on Saturday, 1 March at Lizamore & Associates gallery, 1 Chester Court, 142 Jan Smuts Avenue, Parkwood, Rosebank.

The gallery is open Tuesdays to Fridays from 10:00 to 17:00 and Saturdays from 10:00 to 15:00.