The Philani Printing Project was started in 1997 in the township of Crossroads, South Africa by Xhosa female artists who combine art and feminist politics to end injustices they experienced in their lives. This project’s overall goal is to stop malnutrition and poverty among children by employing, educating, and empowering mothers. As part of this mission, women were trained in printmaking and then given the freedom to create artworks, which gave them an outlet for creative expression of social issues. Additionally, these women took a variety of classes, including “leadership and empowerment” and HIV/AIDS awareness classes. The featured works, Umanyano Ngamandla and Stop AIDS exemplify the power and creativity of the Xhosa women involved in this project.
Umanyana Ngamandla
The Philani Printing Project
2000
Acrylic on cotton
56 x 72 inches
This work made by women in the Philani Printing Project depicts a unified group of women taking political action and standing up for their rights in front of a large South African crowd. The cheerful disposition of the women and the overall bright coloring convey celebration and optimism. This piece offers an all-encompassing view of South African female activism through celebrating past South African women while calling for continued action and support today.
Stop AIDS
The Philani Printing Project
2000
Acrylic on cotton
56 x 72 inches
This piece calls attention to the urgent issue of HIV/AIDS which plagues South African women. The various people depicted represent activists of the AIDS crisis, all playing different roles to stop the devastating effects of this disease. Repeated patterns and symbols create a coherent narrative across the cloth about the female experience surrounding AIDS while conveying the seriousness of the situation through bright colors and textual information. This piece aims to educate viewers and demonstrate the artists’ fear and sadness towards the AIDS crisis, as the disease was common and destructive within their communities.