Abstract
My research study and practice focuses on how I understand my white Afrikaner male identity as being fluid. I argue that my personal understanding of my inherited Afrikaner identity and components of it, such as my male identity, white identity within a South African context, as well as my self-expressive and modified identity are all unfixed and evolving. My research process enables me, through my own lived experience, context and practice as research, to explore and contribute to the emerging discourse about young Afrikaans identities and the accompanying feelings of displacement and guilt. I use an application of Practice-led research (PLR) methodology for this study to explore my fluid sense of self and identity through my unconventional and ethereal printmaking practices. Practice as research allows me to interrogate aspects of my perceived and multiple identities through my art practice which provides new insights to my research question and study. My research question asks: How do I explore my white, Afrikaner, male identity within a Post-apartheid South Africa? Moreover, how do I perceive, understand, and express my identity in a fluid and fugitive manner which remains unfixed from my inherited history, culture, and heritage? This investigation explores some of the post-colonial theories of identity as fluid, as well as writings on Afrikaner identity and heritage and the accompanying links to theories of whiteness, shame, guilt and masculinity that are all pertinent to grounding my research question. I make comparisons in my approach to the work produced by selected South African artists and academics including Leora Farber who makes use of a PLR model in her own exploration of her identity; Diane Victor, whose artwork is influential to my own in her use of ethereal mediums such as smoke and ash; and Conrad Botes who explores his lived experience, particularly his white Afrikaans masculine identity through transgressive and satirical Christian imagery. The pervasive argument of this study, which extends to my art practice, is that identity is fluid, and I allow myself to move away from my inherited Afrikaner identity and the tension and internal conflict it causes my personal understanding of self. I explore my own sense of displacement and consider ways to claim back aspects of my Afrikaner identity in ways that are affirming rather than shaming. I explore the notion of fluidity though my artwork and poetry that support my personal quest to better understand who I am and who I can be. My personal hope is for this study and personal journey to expand the dialogue among...
M.Tech. (Fine Art)