SUSAN SONTAG

 ''To the militant identity is everything ''

A striking quote that speaks the truth of several African wars. The Biafran, Rwandan genocide, just to name a few.


A scene in the movie ''Half of a Yellow Sun'' shows military asking civilians for passports to prove their identity, and shooting them if they are igbo.

YOU MIGHT BE RIGHT

BORDERS - oil on fabriano

FENCES

This image was taken from the news. I decided to paint this image because it arrests the idea of barriers and fences underlining obverse lifestyles ; the rich and the poor. I haven't been to the borders in calais and other borders populated with immigrants but i hope to do so as i continue to develop this conversation.

After finding this captivating image,I studied the work of Hurvin Anderson. Country club series; chicken wire and constructed view , Welcome series and Beaded curtain address visual obstacles and present the viewer with spaces they cannot fully penetrate, and neither can the migrants and refugees.

NEWS

Screen shots taken from my phone on October 27th 2015, 2.09.59

HARVEST SEASON

Father
   Our fearful trip is done
The sailors song was never sang
Our new life never begun

Dreams wrecked, shipwrecked 
Crew check. Will all passengers stay calm on deck?

His ribs shattered 
As the water seeps through his body 
The bubbles float upwards 
But his leg won't kick - of -
course he made peace with death
You get my drift

We seize to recognise the beauty of being diverse
Yet we bury our faces in our palms 
whiles we watch them float past in their hearse
Are we less of a King -dam - it -
If we deny humanity a chance to cross waves
Waves restless as a young heart fighting for existence.

Persistence.
Is what that 4 year old had when he jumped on board 
Because he knew the harsh reality of this fearful trip
He is not an ordinary kid who knows nothing more than a happy meal
Brain washed in the hopes of a cereal packet family

It was a fearful trip
Miles away from a victors ship
Several fell cold and his father does not feel his arm 
His lips are pale and still

TRACES

I would like to photograph and paint albinos and people with traces of albinism and place them in a gallery. This process will take a while but I will try my best to  work as fast as possible.

I have started taking images and talking to people who will participate in this project. I will also like to travel to the Island where the albinos have migrated to and meet Josephat, the albino activist.