INTERVIEW

Where has exploring the theme of 'ansisters' taken you?

I've realised that my ansisters are not only special members of the family, like a powerfull great-greatgrandmother who bore 16 children, or a favourite great-aunt who was a companion and friend to countless nieces and nephews, managing to build herself a career as a musician late in life, and other aunts, but also 'sisters' who became role models for me, as a great teacher, as fellow artists, fellow pilots, fellow human beings.

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What are your thoughts on the world we've inherited from our ansisters?

This world has changed a lot in achieving recognition for the female aspect of life: the nurturing, caregiving, going beyond the single individual, to caring for the world and the subtle links which ties all of existence inextricably.

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Do you feel you have a message from your predecessors? Or have you come to some insight in the process of investigating them? If so, what is it?

Yes. the message being to strive quietly but firmly towards your goal, without losing your own qualities of the female aspect.

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Why do you engage in this creative collaboration?

It is offering me a great challenge to go beyond the scope of my work to date, and to enter a new world of creative processes while looking at wider contexts. Also it is an honour to be included in a project with some younger 'sisters'.

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What are you hoping to communicate through your intended artwork?

The process of growing, the development of full potential of the 'sisters', continuing what has been achieved in the past - while maintaining mutual respect for the abilities and varied qualities they have.

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Please describe this artwork/production/play/song/series of poems that you are busy with.

I am intending to produce 3dimensional modules which record an evolution in form and meaning, starting with the 'sister' seen mainly as an incubator for new life, to those who have been able to enter into the process of decisionmaking for humanity as a whole.

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How has your creative journey before this project prepared you for taking part in this?

My interest in organic growing form and geometric geological form has enabled me to acquire the ability to create works that I hope have expressed an affinity with the creative beauty of Mother Nature.

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Please tell us a little more about where you've been, what you've done creatively speaking.

In Cape Town I learnt the first elements of producing 3dimensional work; in Stuttgart I indirectly absorbed the principles of Bauhaus aesthetics during a crafts course; academic courses in Johannesburg provided me with the opportunity to get an historical overview of 20th century sculpture.

Posted 19 June, www.face.org.za, author: Amalie von Maltitz.