Indlovukazi yo mama (The queen of mothers)

Artist Statement: In this charcoal drawing I explore the role of a mother. I have expressed her as a crown worn by a Queen who stands on a Zulu hat that is usually worn by Zulu women on their wedding day. I chose this hat because I believe in children being raised in a home that has both parents present in their life. I did not personally have this experience and feel like it has affected my growth into womanhood and how I perceive men.

The queen's body is covered in breasts as a symbol of the nutrition and wisdom a mother is able to give not only to her own child but other children as seen by the children who are sucking on her breasts in the artwork. I feel I have experienced this in the way that my aunts and my grandmother would take care of me when my mother would be at work. After her passing, there have been a lot of mother figures in my life that took the role of showing me wisdom and raising me. It was important for me to portray her standing confidently, adorned in beads and Ndebele rings and African jewelry so that she has a majestic presence as a feeder of nations and an African queen.