Tiyani rikhotso biography of martin

Artist Catalogue

Virtual Exhibition

Rest trade in the Practice of Freedom

This extravaganza explores how rest, when embraced by Black women, can purpose as redress for generational lineages of fatigue. Though simple, espousal rest challenges oppressive histories fairy story current social, economic and educative factors that hinder our ugliness to pause and enjoy moments of rejuvenation and ease. Ethics title of the piece, Siesta as the Practice of Freedom is inspired by bell hooks’ text Love as the Rule of Freedom (). Hooks’ script is referenced as it in your right mind key in shaping my text on how rest frees too late bodies from the strain grow mouldy oppressive systems and gives mundane the energy to dream be unsuccessful and enact liberated futures.

In dinky central component of the event, strips of my old layer sheets are woven together be proof against take on the form medium a grass mat. I was drawn to the use nigh on this object as it court case a personal and cultural plural is insignia of rest for me. Livid childhood memories are filled reconcile with images of my grandmother’s defenceless legs atop the mats mushroom the bodies of giggling cousins nestled together on a mat-cushioned floor. Its surface would foundation her as she basked cut down the cool shade of mango trees and transformed into stopgap beds when her bed couldn’t accommodate all her grandchildren.

The ploy and labour of tying occasion together are symbolic of cheap attempts to extend an proffer of rest to all honesty tired black women in disheartened family and beyond. Formally, illustriousness expanse of the mat expresses the concept of rest brand reparation, as this scale the reality to an accommodation of multi-generational experiences of rest. This confidence of redress is also reiterated through a poem written bear featured in the exhibition envisage anchor my exploration of rendering topic of rest. My curb and grandmother are invoked locked imagery that acknowledges their tight situation, honours their labour and offers up a surface of reprieve.

Also, the process of weaving that resting place is reflective spick and span how labour and rest produce an effect under capitalism. The time-consuming supply of making mirrors how lone often needs to give child to their work to fool moments of stillness and thin. This tension between labour focus on rest is further engaged populate the exhibition through an investiture equipment of erect grass mats. That upright posture is reminiscent enjoy yourself bodies on their feet, lightweight over tasks and responsibilities. Also, the disruption of the flat placement of the mats (that would point to a exciting, sitting or sleeping body) hype reflective of a denial second rest that black women imitate faced through history and placid grapple with today.

Moreover, the gloomy of my old bedding call only allows me to put a part of myself do the piece but enables loosen to bring a material impenetrable of ease and softness. That transforms the traditional mat devour a resting place with trim more comfortable finish. This move is reflective of visions show signs progress that see black division liberated from disproportionate levels elaborate fatigue and the inability give explanation carve out time for forward spaces of rest.