Altar 2016

Artist’s statement

The works explore an experience of identity constructions, spiritual awakening and development during my boyhood years in rural Transkei. My recent art works resemble a collective of altar boys (commanded by the elders) under construction or rebuilding the broken down cathedral of spiritual communion. It depicts pickaxe tools used for breaking rocks and hard surfaces. The sculptures resemble a game (Building the temple) we use to play in the Catholic school in Mrs Groom's class.

Furthermore, according to my clan elders, it is crucial to slaughter and separate animal flesh from bone in honour of our ancestors. My Christian grandmother though, believed that there was also place for Christianity along with our Xhosa ancestral rituals. For her, both were necessary for our survival in society. I became the altar boy who helped the priest during religious services in church.