SNS24 Catalogue Digital Spreads - Book - Page 21
MERIT AWARDS
Merit award winner
THEMBA
MKHANGELI
CAPE TOWN
Grandmothers are the strong pillars who hold the
communities together. In my village, young people
leave for cities in search of jobs and opportunities. It is
grandmothers who remain and raise grandchildren. The
loss of my grandmother and mother has left a gaping
hole in my life. I no longer feel the same sense of comfort
and belonging when I return to my village. The lines on
her face, the sparkle in her eyes, and the texture of her
skin tell a story of a life well lived but also one marked by
hardship and injustice. As someone who was raised by my
grandmother, I have a deep appreciation for the sacrifices
she made for me.
Blue is a primary colour across all models of colour space.
Blue represents both the sea and the sky. It is also used to
suggest a connection to nature and symbolizes positivity,
professionalism and trust. It is, therefore, associated a
lot with life, stimulates imagination and freedom and
acts as an inspiration. I use a ballpoint pen because I grew
up without art materials, and it's a simple, affordable
tool. It allows me to express myself as a patient artist
because I love to feel every single stroke of a pen, and I
found textured paper works well with a pen. The butterfly
represents the beauty of my grandmother.
Ubushushu Bekhaya (The warmth of home)
Ballpoint pen on paper
87 cm x 68 cm
SASOL NEW SIGNATURES • 2024 CATALOGUE
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