Artwork reflects ghosts of Marikana
LOCAL artist Haroon GunnSalie’s riveting work Senzenina, capturing the ghosts of those slain in the Marikana Massacre, will be among an elite group of work displayed in London’s Regent’s Park next month.
The sculptures depict haunting images of striking Marikana mineworkers crouching vulnerably on the ground, before police shot dead 34 and wounded at least 78 in a highly-publicised massacre on August 16, 2012.
Surrounding the sculptures, are sounds archived from the hour leading up to the massacre.
After police open fire, the sound of workers singing Senzenina engulfs the figures. Senzenina means “what have we done” in Xhosa and Zulu.
Due to logistical issues, the sound will not accompany the work at the Frieze Sculpture 2018, London’s largest display of outdoor artwork.
Last year, the first-ever summer Frieze Sculpture was a resounding success, with more than five million visitors enjoying exceptional sculptures by artists from around the world.
The 2018 edition is as expansive and diverse, so that the public and collectors alike can experience world-class artwork in the English Gardens, designed by Markham Nesfield in 1866. “The work was immensely well received in New York as part of the New Museum’s fourth triennial,” Gunn-Salie said.
“I’m very grateful that this has come so quickly after that. I feel it’s almost like the ultimate goal which I had for the work, which would be to take it to a forum like this… Which I think is humbling, and quite an honour.”
The work is also being fittingly shown in London, which is the base of Marikana platinum mine operator, Lonmin.
Curator Clare Lilley said she hoped the exhibition will give pause for thought and that visitors to Regent’s Park will have a snapshot of the imagination of artists and variety of sculpture being made today.
The works will be on display from July 4 until October 7.