How did the project start?
Hair is something that is part of our everyday lives whether you are male or female. This work was inspired by the various responses I have received about my hair. The way people respond to my hair varies, some people love it, and some people look at me strangely. Then this made me think that there must be other people with similar stories to tell. Hair Confessions aims to address the complexities associated with hair (not only African hair, but all hair types). Most (or some women at least have a love/hate relationship with their hair).
The art installation also coincided with the Wits Art Museum exhibition, Doing Hair: Art and Hair in Africa which ran until 2 November 2014.
The aim of HairConfessions is to encourage people to share stories and experiences (both good and bad) that they have had with their hair.
The art installation also coincided with the Wits Art Museum exhibition, Doing Hair: Art and Hair in Africa which ran until 2 November 2014.
The aim of HairConfessions is to encourage people to share stories and experiences (both good and bad) that they have had with their hair.
HOW did people "CONFESS?"
People could share their hair confessions in the following ways:
- Via twitter - use #hairstoriesZA
- Using the submission form below. People had the option of "confessing" anonymously or attaching their names to the confession.
What happened to the Hair confessions?
- The Hair Confessions were turned into art works which became part of the Hair Confessions installation in the public spaces of the Wits Art Museum building, namely the wall space on the second floor and the exterior window.
- The work was on display from 17 September to 2 November 2014. The confessions wall was updated as the confessions were received.
- Some of the the Hair Confessions were put up on my website as well as my twitter page.
This project was supported by the Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) and Nedbank Arts Affinity
Wits Art Museum kindly allowed me to use the public spaces of the museum building