Traditional innovation (Unity & Innovative water carrier)

Bonginkosi Liyo MKHATSHWA (Johannesburg)

Traditional innovation (Unity & Innovative water carrier)

Mixed media

Diptych:  44 cm x 27 cm x 14 cm; 33 cm x 30,5 cm x 29,5 cm

Mkhatshwa Bonginkosi Liyo’s body of work delves into the artistic representation of the indomitable spirit of rural optimism amidst the challenges of living in South African rural areas. Through mixed media artefacts, he aims to highlight the resilience and determination of rural communities to face adversity head-on and adapt to their circumstances. Despite the lack of essential services, which often forces rural women and children to undertake arduous journeys on foot to fetch water or travel long distances to school, his art seeks to celebrate and honour the optimism, spirit, and resilience of rural communities. The water containers featured in the work, typically used for storing chemicals, are repurposed in rural areas to carry and store water. Through the use of acrylic paint and ink, these containers are transformed into symbols of artistic representation, serving as a tribute to the rural way of life, celebrating the optimism and resilience of rural dwellers, challenging stereotypes and showcasing the beauty and strength of rural communities.