08.07.22 - 03.08.22
Solo Exhibition at
Kalashnikovv Gallery,
Johannesburg

Artist Statment

Highlighting African womxn in folktales that illustrate the liberated and disruptive potential of female power, resilience, wisdom and agency, my work looks at how these stories validate female agency and are restoring and empowering towards the African womxn’s psyche. Showing how the wisdom of folklore intersects with myth, fantasy, and social history to instigate social change and egalitarian relations whilst celebrating the womxn of Africa as key protagonists. Both in their power and in their humanity.

My work incorporates ibomvu (red clay) with acrylic paints to honour the beauty of my characters as it was and still is a form of beautification practiced by African womxn. These works are inspired by the matriarchal gaze of African folktales/literature and traditional storytelling where womxn controlled societal views of what is expected of them.

Growing up, I had the privilege of being surrounded by grandmothers that believed in enforcing val-ues of radical equality between girls and boys. Their stories would always have a female protagonist and were passed down by word of mouth and entertained us. It was and still is integral to us remain-ing united and having a sense of belonging within the realms of our ancestors.

Principal themes within my work are thus feminism, mythology, spirituality and influences that explore gynocentric norms within an African context.

In terms of my artistic practice, my overactive imagination was strongly influenced by both my father and grandmother. Being the last-born girl I spent my days pestering my grandmother with questions as I was never satisfied and always wanted to know and do more. She always asked me what I dreamt about and encouraged me to write about every dream and nightmare I had that night. I created a world from “my soul to eye”. My very own world/creative space where I could plan, think and imagine what I wanted.

My father was my first introduction to the world of film and photography. He advised and instruct-ed me on the art of sharing my work with the world. Seeing how much I enjoyed being behind the camera and as a way to show how much he loved me he enrolled me at the globally renowned Mar-ket Photo Workshop in Newtown, Johannesburg.