This is work is an exploration of the limiting barriers imposed on us by culture. As a Pedi girl I grew up around proverbs such as Monna ke nku (a man is as strong as a sheep). Proverbs such as these deny men the ability to express their emotions. This work is an investigative piece into the possible contribution these words could have on the increasing and alarming Gender Based Violence in our communities. Unexpressed feelings can quickly be expressed through violence as a show of strength.

Using the medium of reduction lino which entails the carving out of the linoleum, printing each colour over each other to gradually build up the final image. This medium for me resembles what culture should be, a dynamic system that adjusts and caters to the needs of the people that it governs. We are raised within communities that instill in us the cultural norms and beliefs, these communities are a key contributor in how the boy child is raised. The words carry weight that no child should have to carry in fear of being compare to a girl because he shares his feelings too much. It is in our roots that we are taught what is right, and it is through remedying what our cultural roots teach that we give the boy child an opportunity to be human before he is a man.