Number 126: Zeitz MOCAA (Museum of Contemporary African Art ) is an extraordinary museum in the new section of the Cape Town Waterfront, established within a former Grain Silo!

ln October  2020, while under lockdown, the Zeitz MOCAA held an exhibition entitled: ‘Home is Where the Art is. Art is Where the Home is.’ 

Paraphrasing: This exhibition which continued until November 2021 was a non- juried, democratic celebration of art belonging to and made by the people of Cape Town. It comes at a pivotal  moment with the country emerging from a hard – hitting lockdown.  Zeitz MOCAA believes that there has not been a more pertinent time to celebrate the lifeblood of our existence: people and art. For the past months, many of us have been confined to our homes. Homes are the cornerstone of civil society and places where many of our memories are stored and made. The presence of art in our dwellings can play a central role in making an abode feel more permanent and secure.

The exhibition was arranged according to five themes, each encompassing literal and metaphoric interpretations:

THE GARDEN

OUTSIDE

INSIDE

TIME

RELATIONS

My two ceramic vessels  were in THE GARDEN room and they were placed on a table in the centre. They were part of a series of 11 large hand coiled vessels l spent  about 18 months working on. Their theme was nature, flowers, fynbos and l included both painting and writing on the vessels. Each vessel had to be fired three times and weighed so much that by the end of the process l had torn my shoulder rotator cuff and had to undergo an operation!

The works displayed in the exhibition reflected a variety of media: from photography to painting, sculpture and video work. Much of it was exceptional art and provided a wonderful insight into a ‘ time capsule’ period that we all experienced and endured.

I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to exhibit my ceramics at such a gallery and in such a sensitive and thoughtful manner. Truly a privilege!