THE GIRLS
A silent comment on Gender Based Violence,
Is a mixed media installation, consisting of 8 boxes
(2x Blue & 6x Gold leaf)
with ceramic cookie cutter girls, mounted on the front of the boxes.
The girls each have an enormous personality, with much to say in their quietness.
My intention is taking something very ordinary,
the cookie cutter girl,
and turning her into an object of value and beauty.
With this piece I would like to bring you to a deeper understanding of a very real problem……….
HOW TOUGH IT IS BEING A GIRL CHILD
When viewing THE GIRLS, I urge you to:
Listen Differently
See More
Touch Softer
Judge Fairly
Ideally I would like to install The Girls (ceramic figures ) in unexpected places.
Not just a static installation in a gallery. Once you have interacted with them, their quiet presence will reveal their secrets, hopes and dreams.
THE GIRLS ARTISTIC APPROACH
Living in an extremely diverse country, South Africa, you are confronted on a daily basis, with the struggle of the girl child.
Statistics, personal experience, tall tales and short stories cannot begin to explain or expose the injustice
facing women and in particular, children in this ravaged state, we call home.
Poverty, abuse and culture contribute to this challenge on various levels.
Telling the story (as Africans do well) through the medium of clay, is both a privilege and a necessity.
I make these ceramic girls to be touched - ALWAYS, with awe, respect and dignity.
The history of my country is not one to be proud of.
With Apartheid being the demon that segregated many peoples, families and ideas;
dogmatic and prescribed ideologies frighten me. Leaning towards universal truths such as
kindness, respect and good manners, I wish for the world to be a more harmonious place.
This pandemic may just restore the much needed global balance AND offer us all the
opportunity to be brave and courageous and kind.
I speak Google………… As part of the artwork all the translations available on Google for the words
- The girls - are used.
It is symbolic in that you can instantly translate two words and know something,
which is nothing - other than what they are called in that particular language,
but nothing about who they are.
Information without substance.
I have chosen the 10 most popular girls’ names in 2019 together with their meanings,
to paint on the sides of the 6 golden boxes.
Sophia • Wisdom
Olivia • Peace
Emma • Universal
Ava • Life
Aria • Melody
Isabella • Beautiful
Amelia • Work
Mia • Mine
Riley • Courage
Aaliyah • Rising
This is done to evoke a more personal feeling towards girls in general and also,
you will know at least one girl named, Sophia, Olivia, Emma, Ava, Aria, Isabella, Amelia, Mia, Riley, Aaliyah.
The ceramic girls are mounted on the outside of 8 (2 x blue, 6 x gold) boxes.
This gives them an unexpected freedom - outside the box.
They are tied to the box with thread.
Thread, rather than glue or nails were used, this is open to interpretation:
tying you downor anchoring you
The 2 large boxes are painted in ultramarine blue.
This blue is on my palette more often than not.
Blue is much loved and respected for its ancient history and modern
incarnations (Yves Klein Blue).
It is truly a colour that can rouse every emotion and gives me great pleasure to use.
The 6 smaller boxes are gold foiled.
I chose the colour gold as it represents success, achievement and triumph.
It is also associated with higher ideals, wisdom, understanding and enlightenment.
The patterns found in the paintings, stem from being deeply rooted in Africa,
growing up surrounded with intricate patterns, bright colours and beautiful beads.
As a graphic designer, I lean towards clean lines, balance and harmony.
All of which you will find in THE GIRLS.
Heed the silent cry of the fragile beauty.
