iNkululeko the performance costume, 2023.
The costume is based on a deity from the stars who I've named NalediZulu (Mother of the stars in heaven) based on the teachings of the great Shaman and teacher Vusamazulu Credo Mutwa who talks about the mother of the Stars who watches over us. In the beginning, I wanted to go with the metallic and shiny approach as that was the standard image portrayed of the future. But somewhere along the process, I asked "Who the fuck said the future looked like that??". My ideas of the future were high-jacked by some random person who said our human condition would be taken over by robots.
Well, I refuse to believe so! NalediZulu, embodies a future informed by the humility, gentleness and nurturing qualities of what I believe The Universe, The creator is. She shimmers with a glow of magic creating a captivating presence informed by a deep love. She resembles the beauty of the earth in its simplicity.
For me, the future is about going back to basics. The kind many indigenous people are still connected to.
