Artwork

Like a duck out of water - water off a duck's back - who gives a duck

2017 Competition entry

Throw your toys out of the pram

Detail
Tags

Gerrit Hattingh

Details:

Crushed mealies, painted resin, leather and granite
75 cm x 25 cm

Description:
On the artist's request for an object, a Free State farmer and his family, who have survived a farm attack, have donated plastic yellow bath ducks for the creation of this artwork.

From January to August this year 282 farm attacks took place, in which 56 people died (Landbouweekblad). These seemingly insignificant children's toy ducks represent belongings on a joyful personal level, as well as innocence. Farm attacks on families destruct this innocence in a quest for belongings. A silicon mold was made from the plastic ducks and cast with a mix of crushed mielies and resin. Mielies/maize relates to both bird food and staple food for the poor, ironically produced by the attacked farmers.

The black material and granite is synonymous with funerals. The title questions the awareness of the general public and lack of action by government.

Resin Granite