-
-
Kenneth Shandu
-
Nicola Roos
-
This extensive and ongoing series, which first began to take shape during my third year of study at the Michaelis School of Fine Art (2015), was inspired by Yasuke (pronounced yas-kay), a man who was taken from his native country in East Africa and ended up working for a powerful feudal lord in late 16th-century Japan.
Yasuke is the only known Samurai of African descent in recorded history and played an integral part in the unification of the feudal states of Japan. He was brought to the Far East along with a company of Jesuit missionaries in 1579. Here he rapidly attracted the attention of local military leader, Oda Nobunaga, because of his tall stature and dark skin tone, which the Japanese people were relatively unfamiliar with at the time. One of the only verifiable references to Yasuke comes from Nobunaga's journal, where he tells a little anecdote of when Yasuke was asked to go and scrub the "ink" out of his skin.His proficiency for learning the Japanese language aided in his ascent to a position close to Nobunaga in various military conquests right up until Nobunaga's defeat in a coup in 1582. Even then, Yasuke was chosen to return Nobunaga's decapitated head and personal belongings to the family of the overthrown leader, which was a great honour for a foreigner during this period of early colonial expansion and renewed nationalist and imperialist tenets. He refused to follow his master in death by ritual suicide, and his fate beyond Nobunaga's fall and probable reunification with the Jesuits is unknown.This series aims to explore Yasuke's legacy of cross-cultural exchange and shifts the focus back to a common ancestor from humanity's heroic past that can be elevated instead of torn down in the wake of rising socio-political and racial tensions across the globe. rising socio-political and racial tensions across the globe. -
Siyabulela Ndodana
-
Andre Stead
-
-
Hannelie Coetzee
-
-
Bridget Modema
Empathic Visions: EI Hybrid Cards -
Empathic Visions: EI Hybrid Cards by multi-disciplinary artist, Bridget Modema, is a transformative limited-edition collection that merges art, AI technology, storytelling, emotional intelligence (EI). These trading cards not only address social mental well-being but also push the boundaries of artistic expression and offer a captivating AR experience, where each card and character possesses unique abilities. Each card holds an NFT certification on the Libex NFT marketplace. These NFT certificates serves as a platform for collectors to trade cards and unlock utilities.In the wake of the post-COVID crisis, these trading cards provide a platform for healing, understanding, and resilience, particularly within South Africa. By delving into the depths of EI, viewers are encouraged to reflect on their emotional journeys and cultivate essential skills such as empathy and self-awareness through interacting with these trading cards. These skills are vital for navigating the complex social landscape and fostering enriched relationships within communities. Characters are inspired by the people in Modema’s life that has helped guide her through life’s intricacies.The creative process behind the collection is a testament to its innovative nature. Each card took over 18 hours to create. Modema's sculptural works served as the foundation for training an AI system on the Midjourney platform. By blending Modema's creations with famous performances, installations, sculptures, and paintings, the AI-generated visuals resonate with the unique character represented on each card. Now art education becomes functional and transformed into a digital realm, making it an advanced type of multi-disciplinary art. On the back of the cards the viewer can navigate the abilities and challenges to overcome of each character in the series. Each character represents an aspect of emotional intelligence. By reflecting on all 11 cards the viewer can resonate with a character and navigate through all the characters to better understand themselves and see which aspects are their strongest or which character do they need to get more in tune with. You will find yourself resonating with one card more in different situations you find yourself in. Everyone possesses all 11-character abilities, these cards serve as a self-reflection guide line to assess yourself and knowing when to deal out the right card within life’s journey.Beyond the physical cards, the collection offers an immersive AR storytelling experience. By downloading the Artvive app, viewers can scan the cards and be transported into a virtual reality realm, where they can fully engage with the narratives behind each character. This interactive experience enhances understanding and connection to the emotional landscapes depicted, inviting viewers to explore the depths of each card's unique abilities and the lessons they hold. A video game is also in the making by reflecting on real-life situations and using the character cards insights to navigate and find solutions to advance your EI.Empathic Visions is the first series within the EQ Card Collector Society. This collection sets the stage for a diverse range of upcoming series, including "Our Chemical Bodies" and "The Roles in Society," each offering unique perspectives on human experiences.This collection transforms the way we perceive and engage with art, offering a functional and educational experience that raising awareness about the emotional well-being and crisis challenges faced by individuals and communities within South Africa. It is a testament to the power of art in facilitating healing, promoting empathy, and building resilience in the face of adversity.
-
Heike Allerton-Davies
-
-
Mark Chapman
-
Theophelus Rikhotso
-
Catalogue 3: Story meets medium
In this section, we delve into the realm of narrative sculpture. These artists demonstrate a distinct ability to convey stories and narratives through their sculptural compositions. Each sculpture serves as a vessel for a unique narrative, facilitating a comprehensive exploration of visual storytelling. These practitioners utilize the sculptural medium as a conduit for the expression of emotions, historical contexts, and imaginative narratives, offering viewers an opportunity to engage with multifaceted stories in a tactile and visual format. This section serves as a platform for a thorough examination of the intersection between sculpture and narrative, shedding light on the intricate techniques sculptors employ to convey compelling and meaningful stories.