BOKKIE Sculpture

This fabulous creature was created in 2011. Her name, "Bokkie", is a play on the endearing term by which some South African males might call their beloved females. It is a term derived from our national animal, the Springbok. She is fantastical and serene, standing proudly, half human half Springbok. A joy to behold. She exists as part of a limited edition of only 10. I was inspired by my native language, Afrikaans. The term “Bok” refers to a deer or antelope, and the suffix “ie” references its diminutive version (“little deer”). As such, the word “Bokkie” has evolved into a term of endearment, such as “sweetie,” which men regularly use for women. By unexpectedly juxtaposing the horns and the female head, I am calling attention to the word’s double meaning. My priority is always for the viewer to recognize the technical merit of the work; however, in this piece, the gender-political meaning is particularly significant. I want the title of the work and the image itself to evoke contemplation about how a culture can dehumanize and infantilize women, despite its gallant intentions to express adoration and affection for them. I like that horns protruding from a woman’s head may initially seem absurd to the viewer, but that, by understanding its cultural meaning, the viewer can see the profound implications of the image. The medium of sculpture enables me to depict the horns and the woman’s head from multiple angles, resulting in a theatrical image from all perspectives. For the head, I utilize a self-portrait to demonstrate, that, like many women, I, too, feel ambivalent about a term that simultaneously elevates and degrades the status of women.