Collection: Methembe Hlelo Molefe

I explore the theme of migration of the people of Africa in my work. I have migrated from one African country to another, in search of political and economic stability. The portraits of the people in my work are all immigrants living in Johannesburg. They are people from different African countries who have encountered the same situations as I have. Their portraits break up into pieces and shapes scattered and disrupting the image, similar to the scattered people of the African content. The pieces of shapes resemble pieces of a puzzle or a map. I attempt to make the pieces fit together in my works, to make a solid and stable space and place. The fragments are symbolic of the Diasporas of the people of Africa. We are all trying to adapt, fit in and blend into our new environment.