LEBO THOKA
PRESENTS
EDEN
EDEN...
An exhibition of artworks by contemporary photographer Lebo Thoka whose feminism lends itself to her artistic practice. Included in this showcase are images from Thoka’s 2016 series titled It is well: An Ode to Karabo; Seeds of the Dirt from 2020 as well as exclusive new images titled Black of my Flesh 2020 & Initiation of Mary 2020. EDEN is an exhibition that explores black womanhood with just as much grandiosity, just as much power, and limitlessness as the characters seen in the traditional western iconography. EDEN also examines the lived realities and oppressive systems faced across the African diaspora.
Archival Photographic Print. Edition of 9. 110 x 81cm
Archival Photographic Print. Edition of 9. 81 x 110 cm
Mother Inviolate, 2019. Archival Digital Photographic print. 80 x 106 cm. Edition of 9.
SEEDS OF THE DIRT
2020
“They buried us, but they didn’t know we were seeds. ” – Dinos Christianopoulos
The body of work repositions the perception of black domestic workers, to no longer exist underneath the shadows of South Africans’ noses but to exist within a cathedral of agency, to exist outside the parameters of violence that black womanhood has been long forced to live within.
Refuge of Sinners
Unsatisfied with how the domestic worker cleaned his bedroom. Her employer grabbed her hair and slapped her, then slammed her against the wall multiple times whilst saying she’s a dog who deserves to be killed.
Our Lady of Good Deliverance
Domestic worker who was raped by her employer’s 41 year old son. She was locked in the attacker’s room, raped repeatedly & forced to perform sexual acts with the homeowner’s dog.
Mother Undefiled
A live-in nanny and domestic worker who was racially abused by her employer’s partner from 2006 to 2013. During the last incident her employer’s partner yelled “I hate kaffirs” and spat in her face.
Mother Involate
A pregnant domestic worker who was attacked by her employer for cooking mashed potatoes instead of roasted potatoes as instructed. The employer assaulted her with a knife.
House of Gold
Domestic worker who was fired without warning and given R100 to use for taxi fare home. She had worked for 13 years and paid R1000 per month to support her two children.
Health of the Sick
Domestic worker assaulted by her employer for taking her ill daughter to the clinic during her working hours. Her employer assaulted her with punches before bribing her with R200 to not lay charges.
Archival Digital Photographic print. 90 x 60 cm. Edition of 9.
IT IS WELL:
AN ODE TO KARABO
2016
It Is Well: An Ode To Karabo was Lebo Thoka’s first venture into fine art photography. The body of work was created as a means to mediate dialogue and action towards femicidal violence and gender relations in South Africa. The series hosts self-portraits wherein the artist pays tribute to South African women who have in one way or another been subject to femicidal violence.
Image left: Sinoxolo Mafevuka, 19 years old, found naked, murdered thrown into a communal toilet, 2016.
Unknown Woman
Murdered and discarded onto a dumpsite in Mofolo.
Medium: Digital Photographic Print
Size: 90x60cm
Thembisile Yende
30 years old, went missing after exposing illegal dealings in copper at Eskom. Decomposed body was found in an office. She was drugged, beaten and strangled.
Medium: Digital Photographic Print
Size: 90 x 60cm
Sinoxolo Mafevuka
19 years old, found naked, murdered and thrown into a communal toilet.
Medium: Digital Photographic Print
Size: 90 x 60cm
Reeva Steenkamp
29 years old, shot 3 times by her boyfriend on Valentine's’ Day.
Medium: Digital Photographic Print
Size: 90x60cm
Hannah Cornelius
21 years old, hijacked, beaten with bricks, raped, stabbed several times and strangled to death.
Medium: Digital Photographic Print
Size: 90 x 60cm
Karabo Mokoena
19 years old, stabbed by her ex-boyfriend 27 times, set on fire and discarded onto a dumpsite.
Medium: Digital Photographic Print
Size: 90 x 60cm
Jeanette Cindi-Mabitsela
34 years old, five months pregnant, raped, stoned, doused in petrol and set alight by a gang of taxi drivers.
Medium: Digital Photographic Print
Size: 90 x 60cm
Nonhle Charmaine Mbonambi
24 years old, stabbed to death by her ex-boyfriend, left 3 children behind.
Medium: Digital Photographic Print
Size: 90 x 60cm
