Day 4: Castle of Good Hope and The Art Museum

Today we visited the oldest building in South Africa; the Castle of Good Hope. This gave me the opportunity to draw the soldiers who were based there. The students who were filming the soldiers were asked to stop because they thought we were collecting footage of them in a negative way. This says a lot about the media and how things can be manipulated so easily.

The Art Museum

There were a few artists that caught my attention at the museum.

Diane Arbus was a photographer who captured black and white portraits of people in different scenarios. You can read a lot about the subject in just one picture. When I visit the townships I will bare this artist in mind, her work is emotive and narrative.


Penny Siopis' painting 'Wreckage upon Wreckage' caught my attention. Her use of sculpting and collaging gave the illusion that you could walk into the painting. It made me think about society and how we don't make things better, we simply 'brush things under the carpet.'


Keith Dietrich focusses on watercolour paintings. I was amazed at how realistic his paintings were, the detail was immaculate.




I also captured some photographs of baby Egyptian Geese that were outside of the museum.

We made a quick visit to a public garden on our way back to the hotel.

Day 3: Whale Watching

After spending the morning looking around various market stalls, we went to a location well known for its sightings of whales. It was an amazing experience.

Day 2: Arriving in Cape Town

After a productive day yesterday, I took this time today to relax, reflect and progress my ideas. Cape Town is a beautiful city and I'm looking forward to spending the week here.

Day 1: Johannesburg - Soweto

Soweto

Regina Mundi Catholic Church

Once we arrived in Johannesburg we immediately travelled to Soweto to visit the Regina Mundi Catholic Church, the largest Roman Catholic church in South Africa. We came across a man who began to inform us all about the history of the building, I started to sketch him and write down quotes that I thought were powerful and emotive. The church played a big role during the anti-apartheid movement, we stood where Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu stood during that time. The damage caused by the authorities during this time are still there today. Bullet holes and smashed slabs made me understand and envision the reality of what the young people faced.

Hector Pieterson Museum

The Hector Pieterson Museum was built as a memorial for Pieterson who was shot and killed along with many others during the Soweto uprising in 1976. I took this time to sit and draw some of the artefacts displayed. There were films shown all around the museum of the riots and the protests. The brutality and force that the government put on the citizens is expressed massively throughout the museum and has given me a lot to think about and to reflect on.

Nelson Mandela's house

Now a museum, Nelson Mandela's house was full of interesting memorabilia. I enjoyed reading the letters that he had once wrote. His house was like a small time capsule, portraying the message everywhere about freedom and peace.

Interview with Bernard 

Although I don't do media, I didn't pass on the opportunity to attend an interview which the media students were going to film. Rather than filming, I drew Bernard and noted down sentences that stuck out to me. He was massively involved with the children during the apartheid struggle and his story was hugely interesting to listen to.

South Africa Trip

Having the opportunity to go to South Africa will give me the chance to progress with my work on religion and society. We stay at Johannesburg for one night before flying to Cape Town; this will allow me to gather a variety of ideas. I'm looking forward to having first hand experience in the Townships and gaining knowledge that I wouldn't be able to get anywhere else. I will be visiting museums and galleries which will influence me in the future. Also, my favourite illustrator, Chris Riddell was born in Cape Town!

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