Artwork honours women thought leaders
Part of redress process on campuses of Stellenbosch University to replace offensive symbols with progressive ones
A BRONZE art installation featuring 11 phenomenal South African women thought leaders is the latest project forming part of an extended visual redress process on the campuses of Stellenbosch University (SU).
Scheduled to be opened on Monday, The Circle, arranged on a grass embankment on the Rooiplein, emphasises the dynamic role women play in conversation.
It features Krotoa/Eva, the Khoi ancestress of many families in South Africa; Professor Thuli Madonsela, former public protector and the current Law Trust Chair of Social Justice in the Faculty of Law at SU; anti-apartheid activists Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Fatima Meer and Lilian Ngoyi; actress Quanita Adams; author and poet Antjie Krog; Wimbledon wheelchair tennis player Kgothatso Montjane; artist and activist Zanele Muholi; and music artist Dope Saint Jude.
The last woman represents the voices of all the other women who are encouraged to participate in the discourse.
Dr Leslie van Rooi, senior director, Social Impact and Transformation at SU, said the project formed part of an extensive visual redress process on SU’s campuses in an attempt not only to remove offensive symbols, but to introduce new visual symbols which point to a shared history, diverse stories, and public spaces that are welcoming to all.
The Circle is wheelchair-friendly, while a short description of each person as well as a complete contextualisation of the initiative, will be added in English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa.
“This process was launched a few years ago, and much progress has been made to create student- and stafffriendly living and work spaces that conform to the needs of a diverse group of students, staff and other stakeholders, while at the same time promoting a welcoming campus culture.
“The university made a concerted ,effort to create spaces for dialogue about public symbols and historical figures.
“In addition to that, specific committees have been put in place to facilitate university-wide discourse about an approach to public symbols and the naming of buildings,” Van Rooi said.
Jacques Buys from Stellenbosch Art Foundry manufactured the artwork.
Stephané Conradie of SU’s Department of Visual Arts, curator of the project, said the installation differed from other forms of art in public spaces.
“This form of the collective artwork and the fact that they are all sitting, breaks a strong form of power and indicates interaction with the public in such a way that it invites us to become part of the conversation.
“The artwork is therefore not elevated above everyone else and aims to renew the culture of symbols in public spaces,” Conradie said.
“The fact that they are all sitting, breaks a strong form of power Stephané Conradie SU Department of Visual Arts