South Africa: Invitation – Opening of the exhibition “Echoes” by Maurice Mbikayi
“I am…my experience, my life and the life of those around me…we had a home, a place that gave us our identity, now we are guests in your home…” The body of work is a metaphor that embodies and expresses the excruciating vulnerability of African working class, poor, women and children…… brothers and sisters and the litany of organized and random assaults tearing away at the tissue of their lives.
In my Africa ; Where life and dignity should be preserved and defended by those who have the power to determine and control governance and policy there is war for power, displacement and persecution – pawns with little or no value. Where for each person there should be joy, growth, security and justice there is rape, torture and personal catastrophe – ordinary dreams of life ripped asunder. Where our most notable capacity is the skill with which we turn on each other with precision, clarity and determination – my brother is my enemy. Where a white and gold Jabulani with erratic trajectory eroded all boundaries and differences between us…briefly.
If I was in my head we would discuss ;
• Unsustainable African regimes and policies.
• Insecurity for and violence against the poor disempowered and displaced.
• The cultural creation of identity and belonging.
• Xenophobia, integration programmes for displaced persons.
• Football and survival.
Mercifully… (Merci !) I am in my hand… not my head.
Opening on Tuesday 12 July 2011 from 6 to 8 pm
Contact :
damien.meyrignac@alliance.org.za
