Ndithunuke ndizophola 2021’ installation

Abstract

Installation “Ndithunuke ndizophola 2021” series. Ndithunuke ndizophola is an elevated 10m x 10m slopping octagon labyrinth with network of paths on which viewers walked through red maze lines to the centre where a stop frame animation was playing. To contextualise the problem statement of this installation, I conducted a self-introspection because at times, life itself seems like a maze. As people we sometimes travel along tortuous pathways, encounter wrong turns, dead ends, and unknown destinations. It is through this introspection I conclude that mazes are symbols of disorientation, confusion, and traps that attempts to entrap us. Despite being trapped in a maze and persistently standing against the force of gravity, many people are compelled to walk on acute slopes out of balance to reach their designated destinations, and are able to get out of the maze. ‘Ndithunuke Ndizophola’ means the inflicted pain by walking on the maze surrounded by my wounds has a healing effect on me. Throughout this series I made use of my body as the site for creation towards healing. The labyrinth represents the complicated yet fulfilling journey of my life, hence the intricate guided walk to the core.

The stop frame animation ‘Mayenzeke intando yakho Thixo nkosi yenyaniso’ meaning Let your will be done O God of truth, denotes being conscious about inability to come out of painful events unaided, hence seeking for God’s will. The performance conscientizes those in aggravating pain that there are ways and means to conquer physical pain towards healing through exploration of emotional healing. In this performance the healing targeted the entire body pains and their affliction including the inner soul trauma I had experienced throughout my life. The pain was real however, the impulsive thought of turning it into an artwork was my way of defeating it denoting power over the disease, and coming out victoriously. This installation was complemented by two other series composed of photographs some digitally edited. These are “Inyanda 2021” and “Ngumzimbha negazi lam 2021”. Inyanda series meaning a bundle of fire wood epitomises my efforts of being a parent raising my three children single handed, while building an academic career. It portrays my life’s ups and downs, challenges, risk taking, facing obstacles, arriving at a cul-de-sac, about to cross a breaking bridge and coming out of a forest carrying a log in “Ukulahleka entsunguzini yehlathi 2021”. The Ngumzimbha negazi lam series meaning this is my body and my blood was created from my surgery images and pathology results, which influenced the decision for the surgery I undertook in 2020. It depicts feelings of vulnerability that engulfs many people who face cancerous illnesses. I decided to cover my bloody body and exposed internal organs with colours taken from the visuals of my blood test. Again, through images I managed to create an equilibrium between vulnerability and strength.