Pledging My Soul 1 Print

This is the first of a series of seven paintings (done beginning 21st March, 2016). The series has an experimental approach to it since all the paintings are done on glued newspaper leafs. The sizes are overwhelming, the largest counting 2 meters in length. Why newspaper? Pledging my soul, I thought, is a difficult task. Newspapers literally carry with themselves all the garbage in the country and the world every single day. And yet all that is forgotten. In a way I wanted to capture some of that portion and have it preserved for posterity. My figures are the beasts of burdens. On why Pledging My Soul, the title is actually adopted from one of the late Charles Dambudzo Marechera's (Zimbabwe,1952-1987) poems. In this poem he talks of his return to his motherland when he is "Now a man|In exile from the warmth of your arms and the milk of your teeth"...It is the last part that is at stake here "To rise naked before you- A bowl of incense!" While the brevity of the poem can be reflective of the late's short life and career as a novelist and poet (with a Guardian Fiction Prize Award), I think it encapsulates the chief desires of human beings in general. In this case we are looking at identity. The late 50s through early 70s saw most African countries gain independence and the diaspora was swept by the 'home-coming' wind. Barely half a century later there are deductions to be made; things to improve; a future to behold. In truth what Africa has seen and continues to see in terms of development is what other countries took centuries to discover. You will find that my figures are in a particulary conspicuous natural hair, not to in any way insinuate that that is how it should be in Africa. ******************************************** I am currently working on the last piece, plus am also preparing them for reproductions. More description will come later in other pieces.

Print:Giclee on Canvas

Size:14 W x 21 H x 1.25 D in

Size with Frame:15.75 W x 22.75 H x 1.25 D in

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