Two local Helderberg artists were recently selected to showcase their work at And yet we imagine, a climate-awareness group exhibition in Cape Town.
The Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation in District Six hosted the launch of the exhibit on Thursday 3 April.
And yet we imagine is part of a project by Climate Lounge, an artistic endeavour that uses creativity to raise awareness of socio-environmental challenges. It was created in partnership with DearTomorrow, a digital and archival project that allows people to relate the issue of climate change through stories.
The exhibition is a participatory art show that uses the displays to envision a sustainable future. It brings a diverse group of poets, painters, sound and performance artists as well as a collection of letters written by South Africans immersed in eco-justice together.
And yet we imagine was co-curated by participating artists Sarah Robyn Farrell and Claire Rousell, and explores the intersection of art and socio-environmental concerns.
“Imagination is an individual pursuit, but collectively we can have significantly more impact,” said Farrell. “Creativity is often seen as a luxury, but may be our most effective antidote against climate change.”
Tiffani Kayler Dlamini, a Gordon’s Bay resident and Mmatumisang Motsisi, who lives in Somerset West, combined their artistic forces to create “Calling the flowers home.”
Their installation is one of 12 artworks showcased as part of And yet we imagine.
The pictures are part of the duo’s project exploring the relationship between people and flowers, and imagining a reality where flora and humanity physically interchange. By doing this Dlamini and Motsisi feel they are able to tell the true indigenous stories of these plants and the people who cared for them.
Exploration of nature
“We have called on the memories of the flowers that existed in District Six, and particularly those of the people who once occupied the land,”
said Tiffani Kayler Dlamini, co-creator of “Turning into flowers”.
The pair was assisted by botanist Rupert Koopman and the pictures taken for the exhibition were by photographer Boipelo Khunou.
The duo further also acknowledged “Turning into flowers” editor and creative director Megan Nell, who selected the images for And yet we imagine.
The exhibition is on at the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation in District Six until Sunday 4 May. It is open for all.
- For more information on the exhibition, contact Sarah Robyn Farrell on 083 409 5557 or helloclimatelounge@gmail.com.
