BEAUTY OF THE BATTLE, CODA Museum 2018 - 2019

What does ‘battle’ mean to you?

The word battle to me means a lot of different things, but expresses the notion of confrontation, justice and sacrifice. I think of the work in terms of the history of black people in South Africa, and the world at large. I think of the liberation struggles of my peers and my ancestors who have fought and even sacrificed their lives to stand for what is just in an unjust world. 

To be black in this world has always meant one is born into a battle ground, where their social, spiritual and corporeal lives are defined by the need to survive. A battle is a desire for triumph. 

What would you consider as your own battles (as an artist)?

 I have my own battles as a human being, as a person. But as an artist my battle has always been to fight against racism by having the courage to confront persistent racial attitudes head on, in my creative work, in my social interactions in the world, and within my career as a black artist in the South African art scene.