This body of dry point etchings and lino prints represent the embodiment of work which I have progressively produced over the last 5 years (2016-2021) since I was incarcerated at Drakenstein Correctional services in 2016. I started focusing on developing my skills in dry point etching (acid printing processes obviously not allowed within prison confines) in particular, which all started when I joined the printmaking workshops offered by Marieke Kruger in 2016 at Drakenstein Correctional Services. Through the different printing processes presented to us, I discovered that I particularly enjoyed the medium of etching which I have focused on and sought to develop and perfect ever since. My work explores the notion of a “fragmented sense of self” as it relates to my personal experiences inside as well as outside of prison as well as the need for rebuilding a new sense of self and a new identity towards a new life and a renewed sense of “wholeness”/”completeness”. My body of prints therefore embodies my experiences inside as opposed to outside of prison on a physical, psychological as well as a spiritual level through self portraits taken of myself in various poses and in some cases, partially or completely covered with various materials. I so doing I have sought to express my particular thoughts and experiences through the use of various materials, metaphors and substances such as spices I used for embossing etc. My work conveys moments of mixed emotions and days of planning and working towards a full and meaningful life outside prison confines. I also discovered that I was mostly ashamed to be out in society, hence the production of the wrapping prints in particular. Concluding, through my involvement in the workshops and doing my etchings, I have discovered many new things of myself – in particular my love and talent for printing and drawing as well as the beneficial value of my art making processes towards the release of stress and frustration with the awareness of an ever increasing longing to become a free man, start a new life and marry the woman I love…
Being incarcerated for a crime I wish I did not commit was not easy. .. During my time of incarceration, my mom passed away and my work helped me to also process many of my personal sufferings during this time until my release in 2020. After my release from prison, I continued building up my body of work exploring the challenges I face/d in and out or prison in order to stay sane and eventually find a job in to rebuild my life with the woman I love.
Fragmented Self Solo Exhibition
INSIDE PRISON- journal and identity 2016-2020
Vortex of thoughts dry point etching 36x25cm R1950 1 Stone upon stone Dry point etching 25x36cm R1950 R5000 for group of 62 Dry point etching R1950 R5000 for group of 63 Dry point etching R1950 R5000 for group of 64 Dry point etching R1950 R5000 for group of 65 Dry point etching R1950 R5000 for group of 66 Stone upon stone dry point etching 36x25cm R1950 R5000 for group of 6Stone upon stone dry point etching 35x26cm 2018 R1950 Set of 7 R6000Stone upon stone dry point etching 35x26cm 2018 R1950 Set of 7 R6000Stone upon stone dry point etching 35x26cm 2018 R1950 Set of 7 R6000Stone upon stone dry point etching 35x26cm 2018 R1950 Set of 7 R6000Stone upon stone dry point etching 35x26cm 2018 R1950 Set of 7 R6000Stone upon stone dry point etching 35x26cm 2018 R1950 Set of 7 R6000Vortex of thought dry point etching 35x26cm 2018 R1950 Set of 7 R6000Vortex of thought 11 dry point etching chine colé 35x26cm R1950Vortex of thought 11 dry point etching chine colé 35x26cm R1950Vortex of thought 1 dry point etching 35x26cm R1950Taking the punch linocut 1/3 35x26cm R1950Taking the punch linocut 1/3 35x26cm R2000Taking the punch linocut 1/3 35x26cm R2000Self portrait Overthinker linocut 2019 1/2 26x35cm R2200Self portrait Overthinker linocut 2/2 2019 35x26cm R2200Self portrait linocut 35x26cm dry point etching 2019 R1950
OUTSIDE PRISON 2020-2021
Transition 1 dry point etching 36x25cm 2/3 R1900Transition 2 dry point etching 36x25cm 1/3 R1900Transition 3 35×26 dry point etching 1/3 R1900 New Horizons Dry point etching 1/5 35x26cm R1900Focused 2 dry point etching 35x26cm R1900Image of self 1 dry point etching 35x26cm R1300Image of self 2 dry point etching 36x35cm R1300Image of self 3 dry point etching 35x26cm R1300Image of self 3 dry point etching 35x26cm R1300 (red)Image of self 4 dry point etching 35x26cm R1300From lock up to lock down dry point etching 35x26cm R1300Losing sight #3 dry point etching 36x25cm R1300Losing sight dry point etching 36x25cm R1300 Taking the punch dry point etching 36x25cm R1950 SoldHiding 1 dry point etching 36x25cm R2000Hiding 11 dry point etching 36x25cm R2000Ongelooflik dry point etching 36x25cm R2000Why I wonder dry point etching 2/3 36x25cm R2000Why I wonder dry point etching 2/3 36x25cm R2000 (red)Voices in my head 1 dry point etching 36x25cm 1/3 R1900Voices in my head 11 dry point etching 36x25cm 1/3 R1900Self dry point etching 36x25cm R1900Freedom dry point etching 25x36cm R1700Freedom dry point etching 25x36cm R1700Freedom dry point etching 25x36cm R1700The hands that took 1 dry point etching 36x25cm R1700The hands that took 2 dry point etching 36x25cm R1700The hands that took 3 dry point etching 36x25cm R1700Blinded dry point etching 36x25cm R1300Blinded dry point etching 36x25cm R1300Searching Spaces dry point etching embossed 1/3 55x25cm R2200Forever thoughts 1/5 dry point etching with embossing 55x25cm R2200 soldSeedless life 2 dry point etching embossed with seeds 50x25cm R2200Seedless life dry point etching embossed with seeds 55x25cm R2200Inner Fear dry point etching with embossing 55x25cm R2200
