reCollection
Faatimah Mohamed-Luke’s second solo exhibition with WORLDART, titled reCOLLECTION, opens on Thursday 5 March in Cape Town.
She is known for her use of building blocks to create artworks that resemble paintings. At first glance these appear to be playful and colourful, but needless to say, there is more.
“I wanted to create modern day African antiquities. What would it look like if our art was looted today?” is the first question she pops out. “The art would be by artists who currently exist and create in present day South Africa. Taking into consideration, this is post colonization with populations that are varied in their roots, heritage, cultures and races. The point of view is from artists on the continent, who consider ourselves African first and foremost, and then are inspired by the pop culture influences of growing up in the 90s.” she continues.
“It was important to start with these influences because it has to be from the perspective of Africans as we are today, with the love and pride of the continent, rather than someone who lives on the continent but exclusively lives and practices their own heritage and traditions. My joy and nostalgia comes from growing up in the 90s. Adding colour palettes from gesiggies (face sweets), zoo biscuits, Chappies, Jelly babies, Licorice all sorts, Barney, Kewpie dolls, trolls etc.
I prefer to focus of the joy and nostalgia of growing up in South Africa rather than only the painful history. I think that is what resonates with folks who like my work; that the work can be relevant and joyful. They always have fond memories because of the medium and subject matter, and leave the exhibition lighter and happier.”