Fiberworks - A Celebration of South African
Fiber and Textile Artists

Title: Beyond Okahandja

Description: My art is a companion that travels with me on my journey through life. As I process what I see, experience, and feel, it is often through my art that I begin to understand.

Born in Zimbabwe, I spent most of my childhood on a farm at the base of the Nyanga mountains. In this wild and unspoilt environment, my youthful explorations led to an intimate awareness of both the power and the delicate details of Nature, as well as the subtle nuances of cycles and seasons. It was here too, that I became closely acquainted with rural African people, whose influence is still felt in much of my work. These early years laid the foundation for a lifelong fascination for the continent's last remaining wilderness areas, including the remote regions of the Okavango Delta, the Kalahari Desert and the dry desert expanses of Namibia. My home is now nestled in the arid, rocky, aloe-filled bush of the Eastern Cape. All of these places and the people who inhabit them have provided rich material for my work and my use of fabrics, fibres, found objects and techniques is an attempt to reflect something of the magic and mystique of Africa.

Title: Saturn's Gift #2

Description: (Metal bottle top bag)

This bag is constructed primarily from old battered bottle tops that have been collected from the streets of places I have been. For me, these rusted bits of found material have come to symbolise the passage of time. The older and more battered they are, the richer and more beautiful they become. (Is this not a message we alll want to hear, as we look in the mirror and sigh for the days when we were young?) This little armoured pouch also represents the protective layer we build around ourselves, as we learn the hard lessons of life. Within the bag, lies a soft, warm, rich, red velvet heart, hiding safely in the shadows, waiting to be discovered.

Title: Saturn's Gift #2

Description: (Metal bottle top bag)

This bag is constructed primarily from old battered bottle tops that have been collected from the streets of places I have been. For me, these rusted bits of found material have come to symbolise the passage of time. The older and more battered they are, the richer and more beautiful they become. (Is this not a message we alll want to hear, as we look in the mirror and sigh for the days when we were young?) This little armoured pouch also represents the protective layer we build around ourselves, as we learn the hard lessons of life. Within the bag, lies a soft, warm, rich, red velvet heart, hiding safely in the shadows, waiting to be discovered.

Title: Bongwefela

Description: "Bongwefela", which means "unity", is a celebration of life, love and the power of the human spirit.

It seeks to capture the energy and vibration of the life force, that elusive quality that unites us all. It alludes to transitions and moving between worlds, both physical and spiritual, and my prayer for peace, tolerance, compassion and understanding amongst all the nations of the world.

Awards:
First prize for the most Innovative Quilt in the World Quilt Competition USA 2005
Best Art Quilt at the South African National Quilt Festival 2006.

Title: Surrender

Description: The making and hanging of 'Surrender' symbolizes the process of forgiveness. It represents a conscious decision to lay down ones arms and give up the fight. It is about facing the wounds and letting them go. For a more in depth account of the thoughts that went into the making of this piece, visit www.sallyscott.co.za

Title: On the Road to Otjimburambunga

Description:

Title: Guardian of the Deep

Description: Whilst plumbing the depths for inspiration, the muse appeared, a little mattered, but certainly not beaten. Like Enki of Absu, the mythical guardian of the deep, it surfaced with secrets and a wisdom known only to those who have endured a journey that has taken them deep below the surface.

Title: Zimbabwe Ruins

Description: "……there is an end to pity, and it is right that there should be an end; for there comes a time when it is a veil over the face of truth." Beverly Nichols: "Father Figure"

This work is about the chaotic situation in Zimbabwe, the land of my birth. My heart goes out to all the victims in Zimbabwe who are paralyzed with fear, hunger and confusion and whose situation is worsening daily. Like the families of abuse victims, who helplessly watch from the sidelines, I wish that there was something that I could do to help, but there is nothing, except to watch and pray that they will finally find the strength within themselves to say "No! Enough. We cannot go on like this any longer. We will create our own change and bring about our own new reality.

This skirt is a prayer for courage, strength and protection and a garment for them to wear when they finally stand up to perform their freedom dance.

Title: Desert Beauty

Description: These wall garments were inspired by the Himba people of Namibia, who live in the remote,harsh and unforgiving climate of the Kaokoveld. Holding onto their traditional culture, they move gracefully through and harmoniously with this barren landscape. My contact with them moved me profoundly and the simplicity of their lives made me question my own values and fears. I find myself wondering how long they will be able to survive as they are, unaffected by Western civilization. The pressures for them to give up what they have are already there. The government wants their land and the church wants their souls. How long before our culture consumes and disbands them forever? This garment is a prayer for their protection.

The second skirt, of Bushman influence, is there to remind us of the passing of an equally rich culture. I suspect the tragedy is about to be repeated.

Title: N/om: The Power

Description: "This skirt is both the beginning and the end of the Cycle of Life and represents the powers aspect of the Goddess of Nature. She is the Life-force, (otherwise known as chi, n/om, prana), the energy that flows through all living things, that has the ability to both create and destroy. In Nature we see this power everywhere; in the eyes of an animal, the force of a storm or in the stillness of a sacred space. For centuries through ritual, prayer and dance, people have attempted to access this power, usually for rainmaking, health or fertility. Much of the imagery that I use in this skirt references the San's connection to the natural world, not only for physical survival, but as a source of spiritual power. To them the physical and spiritual are not separate, but completely intertwined. As a season, this skirt represents the Winter, a time when growing things die back and bleakness reigns, but just as the destruction seems forever, the life which simmers beneath the surface, bursts forth again with renewed energy in the creation of Spring. This skirt/woman is self assured and calm and its in her calmness that we feel her strength. Respect her and life will continue, abuse her and we pay the price."""

Title: The Creator

Description: This skirt represents that often difficult time between the Winter and the Spring, that time when compost is formed from the debris of the past. It is an important time, for it provides the foundation for life to form and the promise of things to come. The design of this skirt was inspired by the Flow; of lava bringing soil to the Earth, blood, from which fertility and new life arises, and water, that nourishes and sustains us all. It is warm, deep, rich and fertile, a positive force for good. This skirt expresses the explosive spark of creativity, of new life and new ideas.

Title: The Enchantress: Nomkhubulwane

Description: This skirt represents the whispering seduction of Spring, the time of pollen, seed and planting. Here, the nature goddess is both maiden and princess and in some African folklore, is associated with rivers and rainbows. She is elusive and as intangible as the mist; reach out to touch her, and she will change and disappear.Though she appears fragile and demure, this is a deception, for in reality she holds the power to receive or reject the offering. She is young, vibrant, fertile, and fleeting and Nature demonstrates her in numerous ways: soft mists, shafts of light, rainbows, spring blossoms and the call of a soft grey dove.

In this work, I saw her beneath the waterfall, in the soft mossy bank beneath the spray. She is both innocent and infinitely knowing. She is in the flow.

She is a central point of the Cycle, for without her fertility, life would be unable to continue.

Title: The Nurturer

Description: This skirt represents the abundant Mother Goddess, who pours out her strength to all beings with maternal love and compassion. She provides nourishment for body, mind and spirit, and is teacher, disciplinarian and defender.

Title: The Gatherer

Description: This is the skirt of the wise old Goddess, who has lived her cycle,understands life and knows what is really important. She is fading through orange and yellow to brown, becoming delicate and frail, but pausing to impart her wisdom before she returns to her Source. She is Autumn, a time when the leaves transform and loosen their hold on life.

This is the season where, in the human context, there is a loosening of ties to the material world and more interest in the spiritual. This is illustrated by the small beaded pouch seen on the apron, that symbolically holds only the bare essentials, our most precious possessions or memories. It is a season for remembering, for tracing back over paths taken and a life well lived. It is a time of community and the sharing of wisdom, gathering around the fire with loved ones to tell stories that the next generation can learn from. In San cosmology, these stories, told around the campfires remain forever in the landscape.

This skirt reflects a season of peace, imbued with gratitude and a new respect for the earth that has given us life and refuge. It is the last phase of the cycle and a time of preparation for the Winter that lies ahead.

The inspiration for this skirt came directly from the San, who have lived for centuries in harmony with their environment. It speaks of paths taken, tracks in the sand and footprints all made lightly. It speaks of community, of love, support and ceremony and a respect for the spiritual world which is intimately interwoven into the physical.

Sally Scott







Website:- http://www.sallyscott.co.za/