Published August 04, 2022
The
women of Mapula Embroideries centre climate change awareness in their new
exhibition at Javett-UP
In
celebration of Women’s Day, Mapula Embroideries exhibit their response to the
dangers presented by climate change in their first showing of their textile
exhibition entitled Women from the Winterveld: Hands become Voices for
our Planet.
The exhibition will take place for a limited time only, presented in the Javett-UP Creative-Space from 9-14 August 2022.
In 2019, one hundred women from Mapula Embroideries visited the Javett Art Centre at the University of Pretoria (Javett-UP) and what followed exemplified the soul of Javett-UP’s unique transdisciplinary approach to education through the arts and curatorial vision. Through their embroidery work, the women have articulated responses to what they saw on exhibition or depicted images from the works on display.
Various concepts and how they were represented in Javett-UP’s works truly resonated with some of the Mapula artists which has led to discussions about symbolism as well as validated their own thinking and experiences. Being exposed to works by other artists and the respect shown to them has provided the opportunity for the Mapula women to reflect on what it is to be an artist and make the connection between themselves as artists and the value of their artworks. This reflection has played a significant part in building the Mapula women’s self-esteem and identity as well as their impetus to improve and develop their art.
“Art as a medium of expressing deeply felt emotions, events and experiences as well as difficult thoughts has become better understood and appreciated by these women. This exhibition demonstrates this deeper understanding and highlights the importance of fostering a large community of women led by leaders within the arts, and their connection to a shared narrative and heritage,” says Puleng Plessie, Curator of Education and Mediation.
The artwork is a piece of 11 panels hanging in sequence and measuring approximately 10 metres across and 2 metres in height. The sequence shows a very endangered planet followed by a healthy, sustainable planet achieved through changed human activity.
Nine panels in Women from the Winterveld: Hands become Voices for our Planet are held together by the first and last panels which depict global temperatures, reminding the viewer of our collective global responsibility to keep the rise to a maximum of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. The 1m x 2m panels are separated by a central panel paying respect to the climate warriors who are dedicated to climate activism and action, urging the global population to modify their behaviours in order to save our planet.
The first four 1m x 2m panels depict our planet suffering impacts of global warming and the next four 1m x 2m panels show our planet recovering and restored with global temperatures being kept below critical levels. The four elements of water, earth, air and fire – their symbols headlining each panel – organise the thinking and images in the work.
In 2010 UN Sec-General Ban Ki-moon stated “The world’s women are the key to sustainable development, peace and security”. Women from the Winterveld: Hands become Voices for our Planet acknowledges the truth of this statement putting the Mapula artists at the centre of climate change awareness-raising, activism and the promotion of an urgent response in their own community and far beyond. Since research shows that gender inequalities which result in vulnerability of women will be aggravated by climate change, it is fitting that the first showing of this piece is happening in South Africa’s Women’s Month. Mapula’s hope is that by engaging with this work the public will engage seriously with the issues of the climate crisis, climate action, vulnerability of women in gender unequal societies and their intersectionalities.
The women of Mapula Embroideries live in the Winterveld and neighbouring Hammanskraal. These are impoverished, under-served rural areas about 50 kilometres north-west of Pretoria where there are bitterly few work opportunities. Most of the people in the area rely on social grants to keep body and soul together. The women of Mapula Embroideries face the range of issues and challenges which are common to most rural women living in poverty and without opportunities for paid work. They are deeply dependent on available natural resources for food, fuel and shelter for themselves, their families and community and, thus, extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change and environmental changes or threats.
Details :: The Mapula Embroideries works are unique, handmade embroidery art pieces. They may be bought at selected shops and galleries that sell fine craft worldwide as well as on our own online shop, our social media platforms and through email.
Works forming part of Women from the Winterveld: Hands become Voices for our Planet will be available for sale as part of the exhibition at Javett-UP.
Website:
www.mapulaembroideries.org
Email:
mapulaembroideries@gmail.com
Facebook:
Mapula Embroideries
Instagram:
mapula_embroideries
About The Javett Art Centre at the University of Pretoria (Javett-UP)
The Javett-UP is a space that enhances unique and exceptional transdisciplinary learning through the arts. We engage diverse publics in exploring the human condition and reimagining our futures.
The Javett-UP is a partnership between the University of Pretoria and the Javett Foundation. Both share a firm belief in the value of the arts for society in general and education. It’s a project that is collegiate as it is philanthropic. With one foot firmly rooted in academia, and the other embedded in the public, Javett-UP aims to make the art of Africa accessible, relevant and engaging.
Researching African art practices lies at the very heart of the work of the Javett-UP. We aim to set new benchmarks in art curation, conservation and education. The fact that the Javett-UP is part of the University of Pretoria’s research, teaching and learning resource means that this is a place not only for enjoying art but for learning about it, too. At the Javett-UP, learning and enjoying are two sides of the same coin. Both are valued, and both are encouraged.
About Mapula Embroideries
The Mapula Project was initiated in 1991 by members of the Soroptimist International Club of Pretoria as an income-generating, empowerment project for women in the Winterveld area and has developed into one of the important community art projects in South Africa. The Sisters of Mercy have hosted the project in a classroom at their Adult Education Centre since its inception. Initially, 14 women joined. Currently the project has about 170 artists and artisans involved in the Winterveld and Hammanskraal and they are supported by a small multi-disciplinary team of volunteers in Pretoria and trustees of the Mapula Embroidery Trust.
Mapula is a
local word meaning ‘Mother of Rain’ - and the project has brought relief,
growth and hope. The income generated through the project has assisted the
women over the years to clothe, feed and educate their children. The women
talk of Mapula Embroideries with pride. In addition, belonging to a community
of artists whose work is recognised, purchased and exhibited both locally and
globally has built a wide variety of skills, confidence, empowerment and a
sense of future for both themselves and their children.