Addressing a Difficult History: Representations of Sarah Baartman by Three South African Artists

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Abstract

Penny Siopis’ Exhibit: Ex Africa (1990), Willie Bester's Sarah Baartman (2000) and Senzeni Marasela's Theodora, Senzeni and Sarah (2010) were each made 10 years apart from one another. In exploring representations of Baartman amongst artists working, respectively, in 1990, 2000 and 2010, the author reveals that each work in some sense responds to discourses about Baartman and ideas about representation current at the time it was made. It is suggested that each maker grappled critically with the profound challenge of visualising a historical figure whose own voice is muted in the archive and is instead known through cartoons, sensationalist newspaper reports and various other accounts often informed by prejudicial attitudes. However, the author argues, the three artists have done so in different ways from each other and in the light of shifting attitudes towards Baartman, varied understandings of the aspects of her narrative that may be deemed important, and changing ideas about the ways most appropriate for registering horror at her treatment.

Original languageEnglish
JournalCritical Arts
DOIs
Publication statusAccepted/In press - 2025

Keywords

  • Exhibit: Ex Africa
  • Penny Siopis
  • Saartjie Baartman
  • Sarah Baartman
  • Senzeni and Sarah
  • Senzeni Marasela
  • Theodora
  • Willie Bester

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cultural Studies
  • Communication
  • Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)

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