The mini penis-shaped toasted cheese snacks were my favourite things to nibble on at the buffet.
The mini penis-shaped toasted cheese snacks were my favourite things to nibble on at the buffet.
Bite-sized, moreish, and no one seemed to judge if you had more than one.
A handful of guests mingled among the spread of finger food and phallic art at the opening of Phallos Art Gallery on Saturday 21 September.
From sketched buildings resembling engorged members to paintings of men that don’t hide what social norms depict as, well, appropriate for all ages, guests could also see themselves in new ways in mirrors framed by collages of pork swords.
Gallery co-creators Volkher and Claudia von Lengeling say it’s not about sex and taboo, though.
The gallery celebrates and promotes phallic art – representations of erect penises, typically symbolising fertility or potency.
The garden houses a three-pronged water feature of the peeing variety, Owl House-like cement-and-glass creations and a phallus shrine still under construction.
Prices range from R30 for terracotta figurines to R4 000 for pieces by East London painter Bernard Barry.
I was fond of the series of A4 ink-and-watercolour depictions of stallion-like male specimens by Hermanus-based artist Will Alves. And at R180 a pop they’d make great gifts for friends with a saucier home décor style.
Heck, I wouldn’t mind having one myself.
Video: Kayla Roux
Before the gallery’s official opening last weekend the Von Lengelings hosted two exhibitions at the National Arts Festival – one at their farm and for the first time in town this year.
Naturally, Volkher doesn’t see depictions of nudity as anything to shy away from. Indeed, some people asked him why the exhibition posters advertised it as for adults only.
"I don’t think that there’s anything offensive really."
If you’d like an appointment to view what the owners declare to be the only gallery in Africa dedicated to phallic art, call 046 637 0880 or 083 281 0257.
The gallery is about 20 kilometres out of town at Burg Lengeling Backpackers, home of the popular Yellow Piano Inn.
