Deirdre Pretorius

Johannesburg

KOEKOEBOEKS (2016)

Type of book work: Unique / sculptural book-object (one-of-a-kind)
Dimensions: 80 x 115
Media: Paper and vintage tin box

Artist's / designer's statements

The work consists of a vintage tin in which is stored an accordion fold digital printed book that folds out to reveal three objects at the end: a found insect, inherited brooch and a recently cut braid of my own hair. It addresses personal issues of memory, loss and grieving and was created in memory of my grandmother "Ouma Koekoe" who passed away over a decade ago. A "Boeks" is a combination of the Afrikaans words boek (book) and boks (box).

My mother had a habit of storing things in "good" commercial packaging made from tin or quality cardboard. I have subsequently done the same and have many "memory" boxes filled with photographs, cards and other personal ephemera, some of which was incorporated into the "Koekoeboeks." The vintage tin is printed with an image that is similar to the images which appeared on the placemats which were always set out on the table in Ouma Koekoe's kitchen.

The front of the book shows photographs of my grandmother's home, which I took many years ago. The back of the book is covered in a pink pattern, my grandmother's favourite colour, compiled from objects that I associate with her: roses, glass teacups, ginger biscuits and so on. At the end of the book are tangible objects: found, inherited and taken from my body. Their physical presence form a strong contrast with the surface quality of the photographs and the absence of my grandmother in the pictures.