In the realm of art, sometimes the most profound statements are made through the simplest of objects. Sipho Mabona, an artist renowned for his grand origami-inspired creations, has embarked on a deeply personal journey with his latest series, 'The Calabashes We Never Drank Amasi From'.
Mabona's inspiration stems from childhood memories of his late father's stories, particularly those about his own upbringing in rural Eastern Cape, South Africa. One cherished memory, often shared with the artist and his siblings, was of drinking Amasi, a fermented milk beverage, from calabashes.
The calabash, a hollowed-out gourd native to tropical Africa, is more than just a vessel for food and drink. It holds cultural significance, serving as a symbol of resilience and tradition in South Africa. Mabona's artwork beautifully intertwines the personal and the cultural, offering a unique perspective on the intersection of these two worlds.
In his series, Mabona transforms the calabash into a vibrant canvas, using recycled milk cartons and colorful threads to create intricate patterns. Each piece features a small mirror at its center, distorting the viewer's reflection and inviting them to see the world from a different, curved perspective. But the true heart of these artworks lies in the auditory element - quiet recordings of Mabona's father, the late Mongameli Mabona, reading his original poems and academic writings on Xhosa cultural history.
The artist's choice of materials and concepts is deliberate. He explains that the series reflects on how growing up in different cultural contexts shapes our worldview and the interactions between generations. It's a dialogue between Mabona's artistic practice and his father's academic work as an anthropologist, exploring the significance of symbols within Xhosa culture.
'The Calabashes We Never Drank Amasi From' also highlights the multiple roles of the calabash in Xhosa culture. Beyond its practical use for storing food and drink, the calabash is the resonating body of musical instruments and a tool for communicating with ancestors, holding deep spiritual relevance.
To display his auditory works, Mabona constructed cylindrical plinths from an unusual mixture of soil, cow dung, glue, and water. This earthen concoction, shaped into round stands, pays homage to the rondavel huts where his father spent his childhood during apartheid. It provides a sense of home and animism to the anthropomorphic calabashes.
Sipho Mabona's latest series is a powerful tribute to his father and a celebration of South African culture. It invites us to reflect on the resilience and richness of traditions, the impact of cultural contexts, and the enduring connections between generations. Through his art, Mabona offers a unique and personal perspective, challenging us to see the world through a different, curved lens.
