Grade 12 2014 Term 1 Test Feedback: African South Artists
Inspired by African Art Forms
Sleeping by Andries Botha 1985
Sleeping by Andries Botha 1985
Question 1.1 required you to identify and explain the
meaning of various elements and principles in Andries Botha’s sculpture. To score full marks you needed to explain
what the various elements and principles in the artwork could mean.
For example: The vertical lines of the wattle create
the mood of a cage or raised platform. The height of the sticks creates
a sense of the figure being important or that the figure is afraid and sleeps
on a raised platform to protect oneself. The golden colour of the figure
could represent a sunset or royalty and Botha’s use of natural browns creates a
sense that the figure is one with the environment. The concept of a sunset could link to the
ending of one’s life and how the title sleeping could represent death. The texture of the grass looks smooth and soft
and reinforces the idea of a soft mattress or the softness of a relaxed figure.
The form of the sculpture is
based on Botha’s body proportions, thus one gets the sense that the figure is
alive/human and one could have a conversation with the figure as it exists in
actual space. Triangular shape extending from the figure could represent the rise
and fall of one’s breath or a protective covering placed over the form.
Question 1.2:
You needed to identify various visual clues that created
different emotions for the viewers.
For example, the natural colours and lightness of the grass
creates a sense of peacefulness and calm.
The horizontal lines emphasis the sense of peace and rest, yet the
contrast of the dark wattle poles creates a sense of tension and anxiety, as
they could represent a cage or prison.
The Figure is on a raised platform and this reminds us of how various
cultures honour the dead by placing them on platforms and covering them in a
mummy type shroud. The use of grass and
sticks could represent how cultures light bodies and this creates a mood of mourning
and sadness. The golden colour could
also represent celebrating someone’s life.
Botha has used traditional South African techniques and materials and
this creates a sense of pride in one’s country.
Please note a sculpture is an art object and a basket is
applied art or a functional craft object.
Therefore Botha is the sculptor and we asked you to write about his
Sleeping sculpture. The picture of
Reuben Ndwandwe was a clue on which local techniques inspired Botha.
