The subject of this painting is “Phumla” a strong and dignified woman I was fortunate to meet on a trip to South Africa in 2008. She and her family lived in a ramshackle hut made of tin, wood and cardboard in "Khayelitsha" a black slum on the outskirts of Capetown. Her husband, an injured miner, had turned to creating and selling ornaments from tin cans in order to support their family, Phumla was his business partner. I was astounded by their creativity and capacity for creating a livelihood in the face of despair. Not only was she immaculately attired, she retained a wonderful sense of humour and grace.
The air in Capetown was electric the day we met Phumla. Everyone was focused on the American election and the hopes for the first ever black President. Given the current resurgence of global racism this image holds particular significance for me as a testament to strength, determination and grace in the face of unimaginable adversity. Although apartheid was abolished in South Africa, racial tensions still exist. The sign in the painting is a reminder of the not so long ago regulations imposed based on skin colour.