Not too long before this night, when Chantal sent me the invite to her show, I asked her if I could perform some of my MUSIC at her opening. I had no idea what the exhibition was about and she gently explained that her work was about the empowerment of women.

Instead of feeling disappointed or rejected, I laughed at my own ignorance. Allow me to give you some context to my arrogance: (yes I know this event is not about me, but please bear with me, I'm attempting to make a statement beyond the narrow boundaries of the individual ego). Only very recently have felt like I have finally found my music and voice.  It took me half of my current lifetime to reach this point, (being a bit of hard ass and slow learner). I finally feel like I have become my own man. This new found joy of identity and subsequent confidence makes me want to perform wherever I can. 

What I mean to say is that in the process of finding myself, my manhood and possibly the final version of my identity, I also simultaneously gained the centeredness to appreciate the feminine expression and power without any resistance or insecurity.

As a boy I grew up in a patriarchal Afrikaner society and all the expectations of performance and manly societal behaviour it aims to instil through generations, but I could never be that typical man. It never made sense to me. All those rules. All the conventions and control. I wanted to be free of it all and still be counted as a man. So the day came fairly late in my life where I finally did celebrate and revel in that freedom, and the circular paradox was made complete.

And so I did not feel intimidated or angry when I walked up the stairs of the modest and elegantly unobtrusive  3RD i Gallery in Waterkant Street only to be greeted by the bold and iconic faces of the proud and strong women warriors and rulers who's legacies were repressed by a mostly Eurocentric, male dominated narrative.

I found it to be exciting and beautiful. The message was clear and direct: there we were, here we are, like we always have been, and you need to know about us. We deserve and earned our place in the world we gave birth to.

Chantal's work is bright, bold and detailed. If you are looking for something demure and dainty this might not be for you. Her works speak of strength, female power, wisdom and character. It harbours no fear. It is honest and open, like any good relationship should be. It makes no excuses and asks no forgiveness. It is a unified symbol of our times and one has no option but to listen.

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While interviewing Chantal for the video piece her compassion, strength and love was palpable and inspiring. Clearly she is an artist who experienced and who overcame much in order to find the clarity and knowledge that allowed her to become the creative and teacher that she is.

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