| RalphBorland.net |
| Promised land |
Battle, 2006 |
|
I commissioned the Keiskamma Art Project to commemorate the defence of the Thembelihle community near Soweto against their attempted eviction in 2003 by the City of Johannesburg and Wozani Security (the 'Red Ants'). I was interested in the Keiskamma Tapestry, based on the Bayeaux Tapestry, previously created by the group to depict the history of the Eastern Cape. Instead of depicting colonial battles, or the struggle against Apartheid, I wanted them to depict a contemporary struggle, demonstrating some kind of historical continuity of political struggle in South Africa. The Thembelihle community and its neighbours are engaged in a modern-day struggle for the right to water, land and a voice.
|