Naisula, Jione (See yourself), 2024
Naisula, Akisi (Reflection), 2024
Miili Yao (Their Bodies)
by Naisula
Front Gallery: 11.04.2024 - 15.08.2024
Miili Yao, translating to “Their Bodies” in Kiswahili, is a poignant and powerful exhibition by the artist Sarafina Naisula. This body of work delves into the harrowing subject of sexual objectification and abuse, and our role as society within this. Through a series of silhouettes composed of multiple densely packed bodies, Sarafina aims to connect the faceless, unrelatable statistics of sexual violence with the deeply personal and human stories behind each case, as well as how we, ourselves, individually and as a society, relate to this perpetual cause of trauma.
At the heart of the body of work is mirrors, an artistic choice that breaks the barrier between the viewer and the subject matter. The mirrors serve a dual purpose. They reflect the viewer’s image within the artwork, creating a direct and personal connection to the subject. And they also emphasize that beyond the silhouettes and numbers are real individuals with stories that need to be acknowledged.
The choices of colors and shapes play to the same juxtaposition between the anonymous and the relatable. The colors and shapes for the bodies and the silhouettes are mostly warm and relatable, contrasting with the black as a reference to the anonymous statistics.
Transcending the common narrative of sexual objectification and abuse and the impersonal nature of the statistics on sexual violence, Sarafina seeks to foster a deeper familiarity and understanding of the topic. These silhouettes do not represent a single voice or case but a collective silence and invisibility of countless unheard stories and unseen faces. Each silhouette is a testament to those stripped of their original individuality and identity. The work aims to provoke thought and spark conversation, wanting to confront the role that each of us plays in this narrative.
In collaboration with HEAT Winter Arts Festival
11.07.2024 - 21.07.2024
This exhibition was made possible thanks to the support by the City of Cape Town.