This sculpture is inspired by identity, by being raised as uMzulu. The root word for Zulu is -zula meaning to wander. AmaZulu state that their origin is from ezulwini (deep space) meaning that they are people that can wander in space and time to beyond the physical constraints of the thorny planet; umhlaba (earth). My practice dwells on the ontology of ideas that constitute Zulu material culture and indigenous knowledge. For this sculpture I interrogate this notion of moving through space and time by likening it to the process of meditation, as the selected poem suggests. The physical construction of the piece is based on Zulu material culture patterning (amabheqe) as evidenced in Zulu beer vessels and beadwork. The sculpture fuses the triangular shapes, building a structure that suggests a rise to ezulwini (deep space), complemented by planted vines that accentuate this perception by growing upwards. I hope that this installation creates a sanctuary, where viewers can participate in this meditative process either by simply sitting quietly next to it or wandering around it.

HEAVY MENTAL

Killah Priest (1998)

Information begins gathering

Starting to pattering the Stargate towards Saturn

Between the eye socket is where I will build my sky rocket

You don’t need any passport, all you need is a thought

Suddenly, the soul becomes hot as coal

The flame blows from out my brain holes like a volcano

The brain begins the process

As we start the conquest from out the physical bondage

The thought launches

Voyaging 144 billion light years through the shadows of your imagination

Inligting begin te vergader

begin om die Stargate na Saturnus te slaan

tussen die oogkaste is waar ek my lugmissiel sal bou

Jy het nie ‘n paspoort nodig nie al wat jy makeer is ‘n gedagte

skielik word die siel so warm soos steenkool

Die vlam uit my brein blaas gate soos ‘n vulkaan/Uit my brein blaas die vlam gate soos ‘n vulkaan

Die brein begin die proses

terwyl ons die verowering uit die fisiese slawerny begin

begin/lanseer die gedagte

reis 144 biljoen ligjare deur die skaduwees van jou verbeelding

Ulwazi luyaqalisa ukuhlangana

Luqalisa ukutshawuzisa iNkwenkwezi itshekele kwiSijikelezi-langa

Phakathi kwamarholoma amehlo kulapho ndiya kwakha khona isiphekepheke sasemajukujukwini

Akufuni naliphi na iphepha-mvume lokutyelela, konke okufunayo yingcamango

Ngokukhawuleza, umphefumlo ujika ube shushu njengelahle

Ilangatye livuthelwa kumagolonxa engqondo yam njengentaba-mlilo

Ingqondo iqalisa inkqubo yayo

Njengoko siqalisa ukoyisa imbopheleleko ngokwanyameni

Imbono iyanduluka

Ityhutyha kangange-144 leebhiliyoni (lezigidigidi) yesantya sokuhamba kokukhanya kumathunzi engcamango yakho