Bernice Stott at artSpace durban
by Francesca Verga
On entry, one is presented with a multitude of female condoms, indecipherable microscopic fleshy-images, vacuum-packed muti and a 6 to 8 metre wooden pyre. The title of the show 'She-Flesh-Spirit' sums up the artist's explorations accurately.
The exploration of the female body by Stott is not, however, a conventional one. There are no explicit images of the female form, but instead microscopic views of the interior of the female body. You are never really sure what you are looking at, as the fleshy images are indistinguishable, but the presence of medical instrumentation, such as a speculum is noticeable. (I was assured that these were authentic medical perspectives of the inside of the female body).
This was Bernice Stott's solo exhibition in partial fulfilment of the Durban Institute of Technology Fine Arts Master's degree. Her work has been described as a journey into both the microscopic female body and the politics of body surrounding it in Southern Africa. I found that her utilisation of the female condom as a metaphor for choice and safety was undercut by the inclusion of bits of glitter and other party paraphernalia. The decision to use the female condom as a symbol of hope and a saving device was somewhat endearing.
The use of traditional herbs or 'muti' needed further exploration and their medicinal properties needed to be further explained. These were included in vacuum-packed parcels alongside the microscopic imagery, and were not labelled. The exhibition title 'She-Flesh-Spirit' describes woman as a being simultaneously sexual and spiritual. Unfortunately the show did not thoroughly explore the politics of the body, in a specifically South African context, where the notion of HIV/AIDS is a strong undercurrent, and is almost unavoidable.
The exhibition featured mostly photographic images of the interior of the female body. There was however an interesting inclusion of a large wooden pyre and accompanying video piece. This installation explored the notion of women as evil, having sexual prowess and knowledge thereof. Women were considered the bringers of evil, from as early as the 13th century, they were persecuted, and burnt on pyres for (amongst other reasons) having medicinal 'powers', and using natural medicines and plants.
The quality of Stott's work should not go unmentioned. 'She-Flesh-Spirit' provided an arena for exploration of the female body, that much debated subject, while the viewer is afforded the space to question and make one's own resolutions.
Opened: August 31
Closed: September 10
artSpace durban
3 Millar Road (off Umgeni Rd next to Waste Centre), Stamford Hill
Tel: (031) 312 0793
Email: artspace_durban@yahoo.com
www.artspacedurban.co.za
Hours: Mon - Fri 10 - 4pm, Sat 10 - 1pm
