Names
It is common in South Africa to give a child two names: an English one and one in a South African language, the latter usually involving a wish for the child or a reference to the circumstances of their birth. ‘Seretse’ in Setswana stands for ‘clay that binds’ or ‘earth that rain has fallen on’. In summary, fertile binding
In this series, I incorporate human figures with objects surrounding them that relate to who the individuals are, or to what they represent. These are partial portraits of who that person is, a collection of forms and objects that create their identity.
This piece is inspired by female initiation shelters in the Machabeng Plateau (Limpopo) where images are often painted on the roof of the shelter, suggesting that the girls were lying on their backs when looking at them.
The translation of Bokamoso is "the future"; both Bokamoso and Patience are girls’ names. The bowl of the spoon forms a moon. The figure is partially dotted, to merge her identity with those of her group (as zebras do in a group, zebras being an animal associated with the beauty of women). Moons form breasts, form spheres of life. The pattern cut into a skin apron recalls a gun's sight.
Bokamoso Patience
Embroidery and beadwork on fabric
88 x 214 cm
Private collection USA
Grace Unathi is a portrait of a rural woman. Unathi is Siswati/Zulu for ‘You are here’
Grace Unathi
Embroidery and beadwork on fabric
215 x 88 cm
Private collection United Kingdom