SUE MARTIN
Overview: Over a scene of tree branches and leaves a semi-transparent letter “V” has been been superimposed, the “V” recalling
the font used in World War II era “V for Victory” campaigns.
Addendum to Artist’s Statement: Maps and naturalist paintings were employed by early explorers as a means of making sense of the unfamiliar territories they encountered on their travels. I utilised my photographs of the Acacia trees (indigenous) to map out my own journey. To assist me in making sense of the virus. This is my way of triumphing over the virus. It is apparent but it does not overwhelm.
For this reason I also worked on imported Chinese rice paper. It is exotic but it also has a fragility. It possesses a translucent quality that allows one to peer through and possibly find meaning by allowing the ‘hidden’ to be revealed. Ultimately, I would want my work to be viewed as a Victory, where life and nature triumph over this adversity.
In this connection, it is noteworthy that the artist identifies the tree seen here as a member of the Acacia family. Tradition has it that the ancient Israelites constructed the Ark of the Covenant out of acacia wood, and these tree species have profound resonances in many different world cultures. Acacia are known to have complex phytochemical properties that naturally repel pathogens and pests, and thus their barks and roots have been extensively incorporated into indigenous Southern African pharmaecopia for generations (Maroyi 2017; Ali 2011, Meena 2010). These natural medicinal attributes may be important models for us in our current predicament.
In my own research as a social anthropologist in rural eastern and southern African communities, I’ve often been impressed by the intricate byres and enclosures created out of thorny acacia branches to protect livestock against wild predators. In the 19th century, these branches were also used to create stockades, protecting communities against slave raiders. there is thus a long history of understanding acacia as defenders against all manner of threats, visible and invisible.
Victory I
Mixed media on Chinese Rice Paper ( hinged on Somerset Newsprint grey 300gsm paper)
59cm x 41cm ( 76cm x 57cm ) Somerset paper ) unframed
R8 400
Victory II
Mixed media on Chinese Rice Paper ( hinged on Somerset Newsprint grey 300gsm paper)
59cm x 41cm ( 76cm x 57cm ) Somerset paper ) unframed
R8 400
Victory III
Mixed media on Chinese Rice Paper ( hinged on Somerset Newsprint grey 300gsm paper)
59cm x 41cm ( 76cm x 57cm ) Somerset paper ) unframed
R8 400
Victory IV
Mixed media on Chinese Rice Paper ( hinged on Somerset Newsprint grey 300gsm paper)
59cm x 41cm ( 76cm x 57cm ) Somerset paper ) unframed
R8 400
Victory V
Mixed media on Chinese Rice Paper ( hinged on Somerset Newsprint grey 300gsm paper)
59cm x 41cm ( 76cm x 57cm ) Somerset paper ) unframed
R8 400
Victory VI
Mixed media on Chinese Rice Paper ( hinged on Somerset Newsprint grey 300gsm paper)
59cm x 41cm ( 76cm x 57cm ) Somerset paper ) unframed
R8 400
Victory VII
Mixed media on Chinese Rice Paper ( hinged on Somerset Newsprint grey 300gsm paper)
59cm x 41cm ( 76cm x 57cm ) Somerset paper ) unframed
R8 400
0
Victory VIII
Mixed media on Chinese Rice Paper ( hinged on Somerset Newsprint grey 300gsm paper)
59cm x 41cm ( 76cm x 57cm ) Somerset paper ) unframed
R8 400
Victory IX
Mixed media on Chinese Rice Paper ( hinged on Somerset Newsprint grey 300gsm paper)
59cm x 41cm ( 76cm x 57cm ) Somerset paper ) unframed
R8 400
Victory X
Mixed media on Chinese Rice Paper ( hinged on Somerset Newsprint grey 300gsm paper)
59cm x 41cm ( 76cm x 57cm ) Somerset paper ) unframed
R8 400
Victory XI
Mixed media on Chinese Rice Paper ( hinged on Somerset Newsprint grey 300gsm paper)
59cm x 41cm ( 76cm x 57cm ) Somerset paper ) unframed
R8 400
Victory XII
Mixed media on Chinese Rice Paper ( hinged on Somerset Newsprint grey 300gsm paper)
59cm x 41cm ( 76cm x 57cm ) Somerset paper ) unframed
R8 400
Victory XIII
Mixed media on Chinese Rice Paper ( hinged on Somerset Newsprint grey 300gsm paper)
59cm x 41cm ( 76cm x 57cm ) Somerset paper ) unframed
R8 400
Victory XIV
Mixed media on Chinese Rice Paper ( hinged on Somerset Newsprint grey 300gsm paper)
59cm x 41cm ( 76cm x 57cm ) Somerset paper ) unframed
R8 400