Last week (week 2) the sole aim was to put the images on paper, undoubtedly, the visual elements begun to take a life of its own. Accompanying this continuous process was much tension as the collective quest to reach resolution heightened.
Moreover, during such a process, one’s usual mode of expression is challenged. In many ways, this compels the self to widen space for re-contextualisation.

Drawing from his experience of Caversham, one of the previous resident artists, Themba Shibase shares these affirming words with the fellows;
“To move away from our comfort zone is painful but necessary process if we wish to begin to understand who we are. Of course for creative beings this sentiment extends to the question why do we do what we do”
Indeed, much self- realization, affirmation and belief has been unlocked during the process.

Thursday ended with a pizza evening where two Michaelhouse teachers, Ian Guthrie and Joy Price, and Ardmore’s Fée Halsted- Berning, Wiseman Ndlovu and Happiness Sibisi, shared a meal with the Caversham family. This social engagement was not only a sharing of bodily sustenance, but extended to the replenishment of the soul when Kobus and Marshall performed their poetry.

Permitted by the beautiful weather, Saturday was spent outside the studio as everyone headed up to the Berg to experience Giants Castle, particularly to view the rock paintings. To experience the history of expression was beyond recreational terms. In many ways, it became a means to affirm the residency’s present process of image making. Furthermore, this harbours resonance with Caversham’s fusion of visual imagery and the spiritual journey that becomes a legacy for generations to come. Thank you Caversham for the invaluable experience!

Sunday (3rd), the fellows ran a combined workshop for the Ulwazi CreACTive Centre students. The core content of this interactive workshop was designed to elicit the physical and mental occurrence of each student’s very first encounter/s of the day as self portraiture. Each learner was given a task to visually/ literally map these, thus challenging and exploring the five senses. Transcending the outcome of this exercise, one student included a theatrical component to further trace his routine.

Within this dynamic group, the emotional release and common spirit in terms of lifestyle was particularly captivating. The zooming of the daily experience through these young selves’ spectacles carried the residency to its last week.

Witty Nyide