H x W x D: 41.5 x 24.5 x 11.5 cm (16 5/16 x 9 5/8 x 4 1/2 in.)
Type:
Sculpture
Geography:
South Africa
Date:
1996
Label Text:
Growing up on a farm in Kwazulu-Natal, Wafer became sensitive to the material nature and communicative power of organic forms. The textured surfaces of Wafer's series of eight ovoid sculptures make subtle references to African pottery and body scarification motifs (forms I, II and IV), tiny droplets of blood (form III) and delicate incision marks (form VI). Seen together, these works integrate cultural and organic elements, demonstrating the artist's meditative engagement with the rich, symbolic potential of material form. The unique surfaces of his work also evoke the patterns typically found on Zulu headrests, meat plates and clay pots.
Description:
White pigment sculpture with small, red raised tear drop shaped protuberances.
Exhibition History:
Body of Evidence-Rotation 1, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., June 14-October 15, 2006
Insights, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., February 27 to November 28, 2004
Claiming Art / Reclaiming Space: Post Apartheid Art from South Africa, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., June 21-September 26, 1999
Content Statement:
As part of our commitment to accessibility and transparency, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art is placing its collection records online. Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks. If you see content requiring immediate action, we will do our best to address it in a timely manner. Please email nmafacuratorial@si.edu if you have any questions.
Image Requests:
High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/
Credit Line:
Gift of Brian and Diane Leyden in memory of Sylvia H. Williams
