Artwork

Emancipation

2021 Competition entry

Detail
Tags

Teboho Mokhothu

Details:
Not Signed
Rubber, tyre and mesh
183 x 136 x 150 cm
R50 000
Description:
Emancipation artworks derive from the ongoing concept of “liberation of mind”. In this concept, I used slavery as the metaphor for the South African education system. ‘Liberation of mind’ is a concept focusing on the current South African education system as well as the history of education since early colonialism (1652- 2018). The education system, used in schools, shapes the mind of students to behave in an extremely competitive manner and to prepare them for certain economic expectations that benefit the South African government. Students do not learn to be creative in an individual way or in a refreshing way that promotes unity. The Emancipation artwork is influenced by Thomas Ball’s artwork "Monument of Emancipation." Therein, Abraham Lincoln was captured holding a copy of his emancipation decree freeing a male slave.

The structure in the human form in the “Emancipation” artwork is wearing a graduation gown, with the hat and the tyre on the neck as graduation belt, to symbolise the graduation ceremony. One can say the graduation ceremony is the event that has the most influence and puts pressure on students to be stereotyped. Many students want to obtain a degree so that they can graduate and get better positions at work. In the artwork, “Emancipation” the object is holding a whip-like a master. The artwork suggests that graduated students either become a master to emancipate others from slavery or oppress others with the same system.

Mesh wire Rubber

Detail
Tags

Teboho Mokhothu

Details:
Not Signed
Rubber, tyre and mesh
183 x 136 x 150 cm
R50 000

Description:
Emancipation artworks derive from the ongoing concept of “liberation of mind”. In this concept, I used slavery as the metaphor for the South African education system. ‘Liberation of mind’ is a concept focusing on the current South African education system as well as the history of education since early colonialism (1652- 2018). The education system, used in schools, shapes the mind of students to behave in an extremely competitive manner and to prepare them for certain economic expectations that benefit the South African government. Students do not learn to be creative in an individual way or in a refreshing way that promotes unity. The Emancipation artwork is influenced by Thomas Ball’s artwork "Monument of Emancipation." Therein, Abraham Lincoln was captured holding a copy of his emancipation decree freeing a male slave.

The structure in the human form in the “Emancipation” artwork is wearing a graduation gown, with the hat and the tyre on the neck as graduation belt, to symbolise the graduation ceremony. One can say the graduation ceremony is the event that has the most influence and puts pressure on students to be stereotyped. Many students want to obtain a degree so that they can graduate and get better positions at work. In the artwork, “Emancipation” the object is holding a whip-like a master. The artwork suggests that graduated students either become a master to emancipate others from slavery or oppress others with the same system.

Mesh wire Rubber