Accession No

2008.22


Description

Body map of Babalwa Cekiso, 2003. The life-size outlines of the artist's body is filled with colourful depictions of the effects of the HIV virus on her life


Place

Africa; Southern Africa; South Africa; Cape Town; Cape Flats; Khayelitsha


Period

early 21st century


Source

Bambanani Woman's Group [vendor]


Department

Anth


Reference Numbers

2008.22


Cultural Affliation


Material

Canvas; wood; ink


Local Term


Measurements

990mm x 1790mm


Events

Context (References)
Jonathan Morgan & Bambanani Women's Group (2003).Longlife: Positive HIV Stories. Cape Town: DoubleStorey Press.
Event Date 2003
Author: rachel hand


Context (Field collection)
Customised print commissioned by MAA from the original acrylic painting 2003. The life-size outlines of the artist's body is filled with colourful depictions of the effects of the HIV virus on her life
Event Date 2003
Author: rachel hand


Context (Production / use)
Babalwa says, 'I am Babalwa Cekiso. I live and work as a TAC volunteer in Khayeltisha. One day I saw this white guy hanging photos and huge body maps on the walls of the Mew Way Recreation Hall. I looked at these photos – of my doctor, Themba, of the streets of Khayelitsha, and of people taking their medicines – and I looked at the body maps. I went up to the guy and said, "I really like this work, but who are these people in the photos? Why are they hiding their faces? They're so lucky to get ARV treatment when most of the country and Africa hasn't got it. They can't hide their faces, it's like taking the money and running. I'm HIV positive, and I believe we mustn't hide if we are one of the lucky ones to get treatment."
After that I joined the Memory Box project as coordinator of the A-team women who tell their stories in this book. A-team members work for themselves in an HIV cooperative. They don't only sell beaded AIDS ribbons like most HIV support groups, they sell their expert knowledge – what they know from the inside about HIV and AIDS. They also organise focus groups for researchers, conduct questionnaires and do translations. But the main thing they do is run Memory Book and Memory Box support groups. Now, after Long Life, they teach people how to do body maps to understand their own bodies and treatment.
When I look at this body map I feel like my life is not finished. I feel good actually, explaining how I feel inside, certain feelings and memories that I don't normally talk about. You can read my story in the book.

TAC is getting everybody to do what they should be doing, fighting for their lives and what they believe is right for them. When I look at my body map it reflects the life of activism. That is why one foot is up in the painting. It shows the strength that I have everyday to fight for my life and others.'
Details taken from http://www.memorybox.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24&Itemid=35. Accessed 5/2/2013
Event Date 16/12/2009
Author: maa


Description (CMS Description)
Body map of Babalwa Cekiso- green ‘Babalwa Cekiso 8/45’ written in pencil at base of frame
Event Date 16/12/2009
Author: maa


Context (Display)
Exhibited: On display in the MAA exhibition Assembling Bodies; Art, Science & Imagination, Andrews Gallery, March 7- end November 2010.
Event Date 7/3/2010
Author: Rachel Hand


Conservation (Assessment Only)
CON.2025.6187 | Assessment Only
Event Date 30/4/2025
Author: Stephanie De Roemer


FM:265796

Images (Click to view full size):