Medium: Handmade and found papers Size: 245 x 355 Technique: Lithography
Type: Codex Theme(s): Homelessness and poverty. Self-reflexive relationship between material and content
Place publication: Boksburg, South Africa Publisher: The artist Exhibition 2017
Reference note: The book is made out of various types of fibres: Sisal, Riverweed, Milkweed etc. and other exotic and indigenous plants taken from different places around our country. In the book the artist experiments with lithograph processes on hand-made and found papers and uses a stab binding technique.
Artist's hand-written statement in the work: 'The title of my book is 'Xisiwana' which means Homeless. The book specifically explores the poverty that still exists in our society and which our government still seems to ignore, dragging their heels so as not to fix the problem. The figures and buildings depict some the facts that are still a challenge in our country.'
As the experiences of homelessness, such as feelings of uselessness and having no value, is metaphorically contained in the materials from which the book is made: weeds and exotic (undesirable) plants, the book demonstrates a fine example of material/content self-reflexivity and self-consciousness.
A unique book wholly made by the artist: paper, printed matter, hand-written texts and stab-bound covers
Exhibition notes: ‘Booknesses: Contemporary South African Artist's Books’.