Discipline
Literature
About the artist
Chase Rhys (b. 1989, Cape Town, South Africa) Chase Rhys is a novelist and cultural critic. Their debut novel, Kinnes ,won the 2019 South Africa Literary Award - K. Sello Duiker Prize, and the kykNET-Rapport Prize, marking a significant moment in South African literature for its authentic representation and innovative use of Kaaps, a non standardized language only spoken by Coloured South Africans. Kinnes not only challenges linguistic norms but also provides a powerful commentary on societal issues, making visible the experiences of those often overlooked by mainstream narratives. Chase is a prominent columnist for South Africa's most-read Afrikaans Sunday newspaper, Rapport, and their second book, Misfit, a compilation of creative columns, draws from their lived experiences as a neurodivergent, queer, and non-binary individual exploring themes of community and identity. Rhys’s commitment to social advocacy and the arts earned them the Prince Claus Seed Award in 2023, acknowledging their significant impact on community empowerment and cultural discourse. In 2024, Chase also contributes to the academic field as an adjunct professor at Columbia University, teaching their MFA Masterclass: Narrative resistance and resilience.
“The Tower; Spirit, Spice and Sovereignty”, Paper, ink, spice, 7x12 cm, 2024