DEMOCRATIC ART
MOVEMENT
POST APARTHEID MOVEMENT
ARTISTS:
1. MARY SIBANDE
- Sibande works in a variety of media such as painting, sculpture and photography.
- Her work looks at issues relating to identity, and she typically uses the human figure in
various forms to develop this concept.
- Sibande attempts to critique stereotypical depictions of women, particularly black women in
our society.
- In her work the domestic setting acts as a stage where historical psycho dramas play out.
- Sibande developed the character of Sophie in a series of life-sized sculptures and
photographic prints.
- The maid character, Sophie, is developed from Sibande’s own personal history, as her
mother, grandmother and great-grandmother were all domestic workers.
o Sibande was the first woman in her family allowed to study and she wanted to
celebrate this.
- Sibande’s works have a theatrical quality – partly due to her focus on fantasy
o Daydreams are the products of an inner dialogue. This is why Sophie is depicted with
her eyes closed.
- In Sibande’s work it is evident that there is no clean break between apartheid and post-
apartheid societies.
, - Sibande portrays Sophie as knitting a superhero
outfit. It is unclear if she is knitting it for herself or
somebody else.
- Her elaborate blue dress is easily recognisable as a
typical maid’s uniform with the white collar and cuffs.
- The dress is changed into an elaborate Victorian dress
with a huge crinoline skirt.
- The outfit is completed with a pristine white apron
and the ‘doek’ covering her head.
- The blue refers to a maid uniform and overalls worn
by laborer’s.
- Sophies eyes are closed – she is escaping into a new
world where everything is possible – even becoming a
superhero.
- The work speaks to the relationship between
‘madam’ and ‘maid’ as her dress refers to the
‘madam’s’ life of leisure which Sophie now
appropriates for herself.
- Photographs have a neutral pale blue background
which suggest the photographic studio as a setting.
- - TheSophie
figure is weaving
used hairofinto
is a cast the portrait
Sibande’s of MCJW
own body,
They don’t make them like they used to do. - created
In black artificialand
hairfiberglass.
– which Madam C.J Walker
in silicone
- created.
Outfit becomes impractical.
- - Knitting
Madame C. J.asWalker
is seen domestic(1867-1919)
work. was a famous
Victorian entrepreneur and the first woman to
become a millionaire on her own terms
o She developed a formula for hair growth
o She also marketed cosmetic products for
black African women,
- Victorian styled dress made out of a typical maid
outfit.
- Sculpture is life sized.
- Raises political issues surrounding black hair.
- Sophie, with her eyes closed, is dreaming of a
better life for herself, taking inspiration from C. J.
Walker.
- She is lost in her own world of fantasy; lost in the
dreams she has spun.
- Sophie’s large masculine hands are interesting and
may refer to her determination to survive and to
her status as a worker.
Conversation with Madame C. J. Walker
MOVEMENT
POST APARTHEID MOVEMENT
ARTISTS:
1. MARY SIBANDE
- Sibande works in a variety of media such as painting, sculpture and photography.
- Her work looks at issues relating to identity, and she typically uses the human figure in
various forms to develop this concept.
- Sibande attempts to critique stereotypical depictions of women, particularly black women in
our society.
- In her work the domestic setting acts as a stage where historical psycho dramas play out.
- Sibande developed the character of Sophie in a series of life-sized sculptures and
photographic prints.
- The maid character, Sophie, is developed from Sibande’s own personal history, as her
mother, grandmother and great-grandmother were all domestic workers.
o Sibande was the first woman in her family allowed to study and she wanted to
celebrate this.
- Sibande’s works have a theatrical quality – partly due to her focus on fantasy
o Daydreams are the products of an inner dialogue. This is why Sophie is depicted with
her eyes closed.
- In Sibande’s work it is evident that there is no clean break between apartheid and post-
apartheid societies.
, - Sibande portrays Sophie as knitting a superhero
outfit. It is unclear if she is knitting it for herself or
somebody else.
- Her elaborate blue dress is easily recognisable as a
typical maid’s uniform with the white collar and cuffs.
- The dress is changed into an elaborate Victorian dress
with a huge crinoline skirt.
- The outfit is completed with a pristine white apron
and the ‘doek’ covering her head.
- The blue refers to a maid uniform and overalls worn
by laborer’s.
- Sophies eyes are closed – she is escaping into a new
world where everything is possible – even becoming a
superhero.
- The work speaks to the relationship between
‘madam’ and ‘maid’ as her dress refers to the
‘madam’s’ life of leisure which Sophie now
appropriates for herself.
- Photographs have a neutral pale blue background
which suggest the photographic studio as a setting.
- - TheSophie
figure is weaving
used hairofinto
is a cast the portrait
Sibande’s of MCJW
own body,
They don’t make them like they used to do. - created
In black artificialand
hairfiberglass.
– which Madam C.J Walker
in silicone
- created.
Outfit becomes impractical.
- - Knitting
Madame C. J.asWalker
is seen domestic(1867-1919)
work. was a famous
Victorian entrepreneur and the first woman to
become a millionaire on her own terms
o She developed a formula for hair growth
o She also marketed cosmetic products for
black African women,
- Victorian styled dress made out of a typical maid
outfit.
- Sculpture is life sized.
- Raises political issues surrounding black hair.
- Sophie, with her eyes closed, is dreaming of a
better life for herself, taking inspiration from C. J.
Walker.
- She is lost in her own world of fantasy; lost in the
dreams she has spun.
- Sophie’s large masculine hands are interesting and
may refer to her determination to survive and to
her status as a worker.
Conversation with Madame C. J. Walker
