Title: Day of the Epidemic
Medium: Silk ribbons, steel pins and Acrylic.
The subject matter is urban symbols. The medium is silk ribbons which are associated with the generation of awareness on social issues affecting primarily the vulnerable sectors of society: woman and children. .
These symbols are used as visual messages of protest on the turbulence and crisis which has affected South Africa’s social structure and remains one of the greatest challenges of our times. These visual symbols are folded and pinned (as we would wear it) to a surface in a repetitive manner reminiscent of African tapestries and bead-making which is a by-product of feminine socialization. This unique textured surface with its rich glow of silk ribbons creates a visual tribute to mortality in a sacred and majestic way. The application of hundreds of ribbons takes on a form of life-an existential life and pays tribute to all the woman and children who have lost their lives to these epidemics.
Day of the Epidemic is an interpretation of my UNESCO residency experience from Colombia, South America in 2005. The canvas is divided into two halves: one side, a decorated skull (sugar skulls) which celebrates the Day of the Dead in November each year in the Mexican/Colombian culture. The wearing/promotion of the red, black and white silk symbols are in turn also celebrated in November and December each year to raise awareness on aids, abuse and crime in South Africa. As mentioned, these three social issues affect woman and children primarily. Both halves are not anatomically connected and serve as a metaphorical symbol for mortality caused by these three epidemics.
