The Light Bulb Moment - The Artist's Concept
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| The Israelite faithful gather around the memorial to the Bulhoek Massacre at the unveiling ceremony. |
| Picture: Gary Horlor © Sunday Times |
The cenotaph created by Mgcineni "Pro" Sobopha and Michael Barry recalls a tragic episode in South African history that was kept hidden during the decades of apartheid.
Sobopha says the Bulhoek massacre "raises issues around forced removals, land and colonialism" and "intersects the areas of religion and politics". Religion, he adds, often became the place to which African people, who were being stripped of their land and their rights, turned.
The story of Enoch Mgijima and the Israelites evokes a spirit of defiance and of survival - the church is thriving today. The artwork reflects this abiding spirit and strength.
Sobopha and Barry repaired the fence around the Israelite temple and incorporated a cenotaph - a memorial column - as a special feature of the new fence. The cenotaph tells the story of the Bulhoek Massacre on a laser-cut metal grille picture board.
This is a story about many people rather than an individual, so the artists drew in members of the congregation, many of whom are descended from victims and survivors of the massacre.
At the top of the cenotaph is the temple symbol. Below this is a portrait of Enoch Mgijima, engraved in stainless steel. The picture grille comprises three panels in laser-cut metal, depicting dancing congregants, police with guns and Mgijima's vision of an angel. The Sunday Times plaque is below the picture grille.
The cenotaph is highly visible, located on the main corner of the pedestrian side of the fence, with the story panels facing the street.
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