Paying homage

Zyma Amien

Mixed media

Installation: 250 cm X 250 cm X 40 cm

This artwork addresses labour issues, particularly within the garment and textile industry. It is a reaction to my mother and grandmother who worked and continues to work, in this trade. This work references the lack of recognition, exploitation as well as mental and physical trauma they endured. With this installation, I aim to honour these workers and pay homage to them.

I created overalls, an outer garment worn by workers (these are worn by female workers), using gauze. Gauze, usually used for wounds and scars, was used to allude to historical, physical and structural pain. Pins were used to hold the side seams together which is a metaphor for the manner in which the machinists have been pinned to their seats and sewing machine as machinists. My mother worked as a machinist for more than 50 years.

This installation consists of 3 X 5 metre long overalls made out of cream coloured gauze. The overalls are placed above eyelevel, thus elevating the worker, while the balance of the fabric is rolled up. A sewing machine is placed on top of the fold thus restraining the worker.

The word Homage is synonymous with recognition, honour, tribute and acknowledgement – all emotions I experience in relation to the garment workers, while Pay refers to the minimum wage these workers earn. Currently they are earning R788 per week.

I was born in Lansdowne in 1962. In 1980, I matriculated from Cathkin High School in Heideveld. After matric, I pursued a career in Medical Technology and graduated from Peninsula Technikon in Bellville in 1985, majoring in Blood Transfusion.

I further pursed a career in art and started my studies with the University of South Africa in 2008 and graduated in 2014. Furthermore, I enrolled at the University of Cape Town for a Masters degree. I graduated in 2015 with distinctions, for the work titled, Real lives and ordinary objects: Partisan strategies of art-making with the garment workers of the Western Cape.

In 2012, I won the Pretoria Portland Cement competition for my work titled, The day they came for our house.

In 2013 I was a finalist in the Sasol New Signature.