Collection: Bheki Sibiya

My work is mostly influenced by my mother’s history, my neighbourhood and landscapes of Katlehong where I was born. I derive inspiration for my works from the understanding of skhethu which was taught to me by my grandmother who was a custodian of culture in my family. She taught us not to lose touch of who we are, our indigenous oral histories, our family history, tradition and belief structure. The evolving of cultures, changes to our environments, living in a township and living in the age of technology inspire the work I create.
My work infuses and combines images and patterns from both my current everyday life with aspects of my Ndebele cultural heritage – specifically a sub-tribe of the Nguni nation. Ekhaya Labadala is about the meeting of the spiritual and the physical and the connection I have with my ancestors and how I communicate with them. The dolls represent energies, like good luck/fortune, love/fertility, and protection and so on. Looking at the composition of the work the dolls serve as the guides and protectors looking over my home.
Ngyakhumbula is about a memory and remembering where we were and who we are and to always be one with our originality.