The leftovers, reimagined : an exploration of perceptions and representation of race and gender within a South African context, in the work of selected artists

Abstract

This study uses my artistic practice to explore and critique my own lived experiences as a person of colour (POC) in South Africa, specifically focusing on being a woman within this context. In exploring this in my practice, I draw from contemporary artists that use reimagination, reclamation and re-representation in their work and contemporary artists that implement archival methods in their practice. The criteria used to select contemporary artists used in this study was based on the conceptual and practical nature of the artists’ works. Consequently, the chosen artists explore themes of POC experiences and address representation. Reflecting on my personal lived experiences as a South African woman, POC plays a significant role in my practical work. As a politically Black, culturally Coloured1 South African woman, I artistically explore the formation of my intersectional identity, how I navigate acceptance and belonging in this context and how my identity can be reclaimed or reimagined through my art practice. I also analyse and explore other contemporary artists who use re-imagination and reclamation of identity as central themes in their work. As a study that employs a practice-based research methodology with an emergent design, this Fine Art study centres on my art practice. In this study, I used theoretical research to inform my art practice. The output of this research is a physical exhibition, consisting of photographs that form part of my counter-archive, The Left Overs Reimagined as well as installations, and this dissertation. This study argues that various forms of media often misrepresent or overlook people, women and communities of colour and their lived experiences. Through this study, I hope to re-imagine, challenge, and re-present perceptions of POC lived experience through my own lived experiences and my family archive. The outcomes of this research are a virtual online archive and physical exhibition of the photographs, installations and videos, and this dissertation. In my thesis, I have moved away from the conventional terminology used in traditional thesis structures. Thus, I have exchanged the work 'chapter' for the word 'part'. In addition, I have also given each part of my dissertation a title that corresponds with a dining course (meal). I got this inspiration from the title of my thesis, The Left Overs, Reimagined. It insinuates that my master's thesis is a five-course meal.