Mixedness is my Mythology explores the historical relationship between South Africa and the Netherlands that evolves around the connections and contradictions of migration, ethnicity, colonialism and apartheid. My family sits in a grey space where we deconstruct the apartheid construction of our Coloured racial classification and make it our own. This body of work shows a reconciliation and acceptance of our mixed identity. The project started in January 2020 and will end around August 2024 in which I plan to further visualise concepts centred on embodying the African diaspora in the post-colonial era. The scholarship will be used to buy analogue film, African pedestals, masks and shields to confront the history of stealing African art which is housed in Western museums. I also aim to create a diptych titled “Racialised Capitalism” with my brothers, visualizing how capitalism has the African diaspora in survival mode by selling fake name-brand bags, exotic fruits and African-printed clothes as a consequence of colonialism. The funding will also help with the goals. Firstly, to produce an additional 10 new images. Secondly, the images will be printed as a portfolio by Peter Svenson. This project will be my first publication with FW: Books and Deadbeat Club accompanied by a book launch & exhibition in California & Netherlands. The portfolio will be to have meetings to strengthen my position in the photography scene and possibly get signed with a gallery.
