(2013-05-08) Pretorius, Anna M.; Conolly, Joan Lucy; Roome, John William
I believe that the election in 1994 of the first democratic government in South Africa has
presented a challenge to all South Africans in different ways. I believe that one of the
principal challenges that the 1994 elections presented to my conservative Calvinistic
Afrikaner community was to address its personal, family, community, national and
international identity/ies. Arising out of this perspective and perception, I have explored
my and my family memory/ies to answer questions about my identity.
My study is a journey of awareness: a self-study exploring my identity through critical
self-reflection and the development of my art practice. My self-study is multi-
disciplinary: it employs interchangeable methodologies allowing for various forms of
knowledge generation. My journey of awareness is a “living theory” in which I have
developed my “living standards of judgement” and addressed my “living contradictions”
(Whitehead 1985; 1989; 2008a; b; c; d).
My study illustrates the symbiotic research and creative process of developing an
understanding of my identity as a white Afrikaans woman through practicing my art. My
art practice assisted in the action/reflection process as well acting as a tool for social
action and transformation.
