The Struggle (1988)

Artist's Statement

In 1988 I began a series of works with the theme of the "talisman". The talisman is a magical, protective charm worn or carried to avert evil from or bring good luck to its holder. I made a series of works which I saw as a triptych called "Talisman for Africa": "Yesterday", "Today" and "Tomorrow".

These works for me existed at two levels: The lower level being the political state of South Africa in "Yesterday", "Today" and "Tomorrow". The upper level represents the input of lucky charms to arrest evil and bring good luck.

This work reflects my despair at the violence, turmoil and confusion during the time of the struggle for freedom from apartheid. The work resembles a burning and charred landscape and a huge dying beast, pierced and stabbed, with its life-blood draining out. It was my expression of the explosive carnage of the time.