{"id":2641,"date":"2025-11-10T17:48:31","date_gmt":"2025-11-10T15:48:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/?page_id=2641"},"modified":"2025-11-13T12:35:10","modified_gmt":"2025-11-13T10:35:10","slug":"25-sami-qoko","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/index.php\/25-sami-qoko\/","title":{"rendered":"25 SAMI QOKO"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"themify_builder_content-2641\" data-postid=\"2641\" class=\"themify_builder_content themify_builder_content-2641 themify_builder tf_clear\">\n    \t<!-- module_row -->\n\t<div   data-css_id=\"tb_fsee156\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"themify_builder_row module_row fullcover fullwidth_row_container tb_fsee156 tb_first clearfix\">\n\t    <div class=\"tf_abs builder_row_cover\"><\/div>\t    <div class=\"tf_hide row-slider tb_slider\" data-bgmode=\"fullcover\" data-sliderspeed=\"2000\">\n\t        <ul class=\"tf_abs row-slider-slides clearfix\">\n\t\t    \t\t\t<li data-bg=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/sami_header1.jpg\" class=\"normal\">\n\t\t\t    <a class=\"row-slider-dot\" data-index=\"0\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<li data-bg=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/sami_header2.jpg\" class=\"normal\">\n\t\t\t    <a class=\"row-slider-dot\" data-index=\"1\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<li data-bg=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/sami_header3.jpg\" class=\"normal\">\n\t\t\t    <a class=\"row-slider-dot\" data-index=\"2\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t        <\/ul>\n\t        <div class=\"row-slider-nav\">\n\t    \t<a class=\"tf_abs row-slider-arrow row-slider-prev\">&lsaquo;<\/a>\n\t    \t<a class=\"tf_abs row-slider-arrow row-slider-next\">&rsaquo;<\/a>\n\t        <\/div>\n\t    <\/div>\n\t    <!-- \/.row-bgs -->\n\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"tf_abs tf_hide tb_row_frame tb_row_frame_bottom in_front\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t    <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tf_box tf_w tf_rel\"   data-basecol=\"2\" data-col_tablet=\"column4-2\" data-col_tablet_landscape=\"column4-2\" data-col_mobile=\"column-full\">\n\t\t\t<div  data-lazy=\"1\" style=\"width: 81%\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 first tb_j485157 tf_box\">\n\t    \t    \t        <div class=\"tb-column-inner tf_box tf_w\">\n\t\t        <!-- module fancy heading -->\n<div  class=\"module module-fancy-heading tb_n22n157 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <h1 class=\"fancy-heading tf_textc\">\n    <span  class=\"main-head tf_block\">\n\tSikhule sifotwa, sifota, sizifota    <\/span>\n    <span class=\"sub-head tf_block tf_rel\">\n\tSami Qoko    <\/span>\n\n    <\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module fancy heading -->\n\t        <\/div>\n\t    \t<\/div>\n\t\t<div  data-lazy=\"1\" style=\"width: 15.8%\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-2 last tb_326t157 tf_box\">\n\t    \t    \t<\/div>\n\t\t    <\/div>\n\t    <!-- \/row_inner -->\n\t<\/div>\n\t<!-- \/module_row -->\n\t\t<!-- module_row -->\n\t<div   data-css_id=\"tb_5peu214\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"themify_builder_row module_row tb_5peu214 clearfix\">\n\t    \t    <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top gutter-none tf_box tf_w tf_rel\" >\n\t\t\t<div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col2-1 first tb_5nrs215 tf_box\">\n\t    \t    \t        <div class=\"tb-column-inner tf_box tf_w\">\n\t\t    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_xr28215 drop-shadow circle  image-center tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n            <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n\t\t    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Sami-400x400.jpg\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-2659\" title=\"Sami\" alt=\"Sami\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Sami-400x400.jpg 400w, https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Sami-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/>\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n    \n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->\t        <\/div>\n\t    \t<\/div>\n\t\t<div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col2-1 last tb_4ik3216 tf_box\">\n\t    \t    \t        <div class=\"tb-column-inner tf_box tf_w\">\n\t\t    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_aycc216   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n            <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n    <h4><b>Sikhule sifotwa, sifota, sizifota<\/b><\/h4>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_hh7j216  repeat \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n            <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n    <p>by Sami Qoko<\/p>\n<p>When I was born, my paternal grandmother had long passed away. Growing up I would hear stories and jokes, shared by my father and his siblings, reminiscing on how strict a mother she was. Moments like those made me realise how little I knew of my parents. Prompted by that curiosity, often I find myself flipping through my family photo albums. There I would find smiles I have never witnessed before, people I only heard of in remembrance and never experienced first-hand. I developed a yearning to be included in these memories. Every now and then I ask my parents about these people; their answers often come with laughter and followed by a \u201cYho lomntu\u2026\u201d (yho this person). Having these conversations with my parents make me feel included, connected even. These are the feelings that have inspired the <i>Sikhule sifotwa, sifota, sizifota<\/i> monotype series. Directly translating to: We grew up being photographed, we capture pictures, and we photograph ourselves too.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>At home photography is a norm, my family loves to be photographed. These photographs stand as statements of sorts. I have started to see them as fragments and glimpses of identity. With these photographs, my family members have been active in choosing how they want to be seen. Considering how far this act of compiling photo albums stretches back, my family has been interacting with forms of self-representation for a long time. The significance of this act lies in the nature and history of South Africa. With its racially oppressive systems, historically there has been control placed over our identity and self-representation as people of colour. Independent photography and the compilation of photo albums, presents an opportunity to photographically present ourselves on our own terms.<\/p>\n<p>As a printmaker, I produce monotype prints inspired by these personal traces. Monotype becomes metaphoric of the individual, expressing the same unique quality I see in each personal image. A monotype print produces a one-of-one, like the irreplicable nature of an individual\u2019s identity. The photo albums express representations of my family members, at times we find them laughing, posing or serious between the inclusion of \u201crandom\u201d landscapes. The identities I have found within these albums reflect the one-of-one nature of the monotype printmaking process. No matter how much you try to print the same exact image, there will be a visible change. Like identity, it is not static, but should allow room for variation. Printmaking has become my language, my form of self-expression. With this medium I continue the work of self-representation.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->\t        <\/div>\n\t    \t<\/div>\n\t\t    <\/div>\n\t    <!-- \/row_inner -->\n\t<\/div>\n\t<!-- \/module_row -->\n\t\t<!-- module_row -->\n\t<div  data-css_id=\"tb_tblk580\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"themify_builder_row module_row tb_tblk580 clearfix\">\n\t    \t    <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tf_box tf_w tf_rel\" >\n\t\t\t<div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full first tb_3y8p580 tf_box\">\n\t    \t    \t        <div class=\"tb-column-inner tf_box tf_w\">\n\t\t    <!-- module gallery -->\n<div  class=\"module gallery module-gallery tb_mhtr580 layout-grid  \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n            <div class=\"module-gallery-grid gallery-columns-4 tf_clear\">\n\t\t\t<dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n\t\t\t<dt class=\"gallery-icon\">\n\t\t\t<a data-title=\"\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2025_Grad-Show_Exam-29-copy.jpg\" data-rel=\"tb_mhtr580\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2025_Grad-Show_Exam-29-copy-300x200.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-2865\" title=\"25 SAMI QOKO\" alt=\"25 SAMI QOKO\"><\/a>\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t<dd>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/dd>\n\t\t<\/dl>\n\t\t\t<dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n\t\t\t<dt class=\"gallery-icon\">\n\t\t\t<a data-title=\"\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2025_Grad-Show_Exam-30-copy.jpg\" data-rel=\"tb_mhtr580\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2025_Grad-Show_Exam-30-copy-300x200.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-2866\" title=\"25 SAMI QOKO\" alt=\"25 SAMI QOKO\"><\/a>\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t<dd>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/dd>\n\t\t<\/dl>\n\t\t\t<dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n\t\t\t<dt class=\"gallery-icon\">\n\t\t\t<a data-title=\"\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2025_Grad-Show_Exam-31-copy.jpg\" data-rel=\"tb_mhtr580\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2025_Grad-Show_Exam-31-copy-300x200.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-2867\" title=\"25 SAMI QOKO\" alt=\"25 SAMI QOKO\"><\/a>\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t<dd>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/dd>\n\t\t<\/dl>\n\t\t\t<dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n\t\t\t<dt class=\"gallery-icon\">\n\t\t\t<a data-title=\"\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2025_Grad-Show_Exam-32-copy.jpg\" data-rel=\"tb_mhtr580\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2025_Grad-Show_Exam-32-copy-300x200.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-2868\" title=\"25 SAMI QOKO\" alt=\"25 SAMI QOKO\"><\/a>\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t<dd>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/dd>\n\t\t<\/dl>\n\t\t\t<dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n\t\t\t<dt class=\"gallery-icon\">\n\t\t\t<a data-title=\"\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2025_Grad-Show_Exam-33-copy.jpg\" data-rel=\"tb_mhtr580\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2025_Grad-Show_Exam-33-copy-300x200.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-2869\" title=\"25 SAMI QOKO\" alt=\"25 SAMI QOKO\"><\/a>\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t<dd>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/dd>\n\t\t<\/dl>\n\t\t\t<dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n\t\t\t<dt class=\"gallery-icon\">\n\t\t\t<a data-title=\"\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2025_Grad-Show_Exam-34-copy.jpg\" data-rel=\"tb_mhtr580\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2025_Grad-Show_Exam-34-copy-300x200.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-2870\" title=\"25 SAMI QOKO\" alt=\"25 SAMI QOKO\"><\/a>\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t<dd>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/dd>\n\t\t<\/dl>\n\t\t\t<dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n\t\t\t<dt class=\"gallery-icon\">\n\t\t\t<a data-title=\"\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2025_Grad-Show_Exam-35-copy.jpg\" data-rel=\"tb_mhtr580\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2025_Grad-Show_Exam-35-copy-300x200.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-2871\" title=\"25 SAMI QOKO\" alt=\"25 SAMI QOKO\"><\/a>\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t<dd>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/dd>\n\t\t<\/dl>\n\t\t\t<dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n\t\t\t<dt class=\"gallery-icon\">\n\t\t\t<a data-title=\"\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2025_Grad-Show_Exam-36-copy.jpg\" data-rel=\"tb_mhtr580\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2025_Grad-Show_Exam-36-copy-300x200.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-2872\" title=\"25 SAMI QOKO\" alt=\"25 SAMI QOKO\"><\/a>\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t<dd>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/dd>\n\t\t<\/dl>\n\t\t\t<dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n\t\t\t<dt class=\"gallery-icon\">\n\t\t\t<a data-title=\"\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2025_Grad-Show_Exam-38-copy.jpg\" data-rel=\"tb_mhtr580\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2025_Grad-Show_Exam-38-copy-300x200.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-2874\" title=\"25 SAMI QOKO\" alt=\"25 SAMI QOKO\"><\/a>\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t<dd>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/dd>\n\t\t<\/dl>\n\t\t\t<dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n\t\t\t<dt class=\"gallery-icon\">\n\t\t\t<a data-title=\"\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2025_Grad-Show_Exam-39-copy.jpg\" data-rel=\"tb_mhtr580\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2025_Grad-Show_Exam-39-copy-300x200.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-2875\" title=\"25 SAMI QOKO\" alt=\"25 SAMI QOKO\"><\/a>\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t<dd>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/dd>\n\t\t<\/dl>\n\t\t\t<dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n\t\t\t<dt class=\"gallery-icon\">\n\t\t\t<a data-title=\"\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2025_Grad-Show_Exam-40-copy.jpg\" data-rel=\"tb_mhtr580\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2025_Grad-Show_Exam-40-copy-300x200.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-2876\" title=\"25 SAMI QOKO\" alt=\"25 SAMI QOKO\"><\/a>\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t<dd>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/dd>\n\t\t<\/dl>\n\t\t\t<dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n\t\t\t<dt class=\"gallery-icon\">\n\t\t\t<a data-title=\"\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2025_Grad-Show_Exam-41-copy.jpg\" data-rel=\"tb_mhtr580\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2025_Grad-Show_Exam-41-copy-300x200.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-2877\" title=\"25 SAMI QOKO\" alt=\"25 SAMI QOKO\"><\/a>\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t<dd>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/dd>\n\t\t<\/dl>\n\t\t\t<dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n\t\t\t<dt class=\"gallery-icon\">\n\t\t\t<a data-title=\"\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2025_Grad-Show_Exam-42-copy.jpg\" data-rel=\"tb_mhtr580\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2025_Grad-Show_Exam-42-copy-300x200.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-2878\" title=\"25 SAMI QOKO\" alt=\"25 SAMI QOKO\"><\/a>\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t<dd>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/dd>\n\t\t<\/dl>\n\t\t\t<dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n\t\t\t<dt class=\"gallery-icon\">\n\t\t\t<a data-title=\"\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2025_Grad-Show_Exam-43-copy.jpg\" data-rel=\"tb_mhtr580\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2025_Grad-Show_Exam-43-copy-300x200.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-2879\" title=\"25 SAMI QOKO\" alt=\"25 SAMI QOKO\"><\/a>\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t<dd>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/dd>\n\t\t<\/dl>\n\t\t\t<dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n\t\t\t<dt class=\"gallery-icon\">\n\t\t\t<a data-title=\"\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2025_Grad-Show_Exam-135-copy.jpg\" data-rel=\"tb_mhtr580\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2025_Grad-Show_Exam-135-copy-300x200.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-2881\" title=\"25 SAMI QOKO\" alt=\"25 SAMI QOKO\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2025_Grad-Show_Exam-135-copy-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2025_Grad-Show_Exam-135-copy.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t<dd>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/dd>\n\t\t<\/dl>\n\t\t\t<dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n\t\t\t<dt class=\"gallery-icon\">\n\t\t\t<a data-title=\"\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2025_Grad-Show_Exam-138-copy.jpg\" data-rel=\"tb_mhtr580\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2025_Grad-Show_Exam-138-copy-300x200.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-2883\" title=\"25 SAMI QOKO\" alt=\"25 SAMI QOKO\"><\/a>\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t<dd>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/dd>\n\t\t<\/dl>\n\t\t\t<dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n\t\t\t<dt class=\"gallery-icon\">\n\t\t\t<a data-title=\"\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2025_Grad-Show_Exam-139-copy.jpg\" data-rel=\"tb_mhtr580\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2025_Grad-Show_Exam-139-copy-300x200.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-2884\" title=\"25 SAMI QOKO\" alt=\"25 SAMI QOKO\"><\/a>\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t<dd>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/dd>\n\t\t<\/dl>\n\t\t\t<dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n\t\t\t<dt class=\"gallery-icon\">\n\t\t\t<a data-title=\"\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2025_Grad-Show_Exam-27-copy.jpg\" data-rel=\"tb_mhtr580\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2025_Grad-Show_Exam-27-copy-300x200.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-2863\" title=\"25 SAMI QOKO\" alt=\"25 SAMI QOKO\"><\/a>\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t<dd>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/dd>\n\t\t<\/dl>\n\t\t\t<dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n\t\t\t<dt class=\"gallery-icon\">\n\t\t\t<a data-title=\"\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2025_Grad-Show_Exam-28-copy.jpg\" data-rel=\"tb_mhtr580\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2025_Grad-Show_Exam-28-copy-300x200.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-2864\" title=\"25 SAMI QOKO\" alt=\"25 SAMI QOKO\"><\/a>\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t<dd>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/dd>\n\t\t<\/dl>\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module gallery -->\n\t        <\/div>\n\t    \t<\/div>\n\t\t    <\/div>\n\t    <!-- \/row_inner -->\n\t<\/div>\n\t<!-- \/module_row -->\n\t\t<!-- module_row -->\n\t<div   data-css_id=\"tb_68v2951\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"themify_builder_row module_row tb_68v2951 clearfix\">\n\t    \t    <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tf_box tf_w tf_rel\" >\n\t\t\t<div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full first tb_h4u1952 tf_box\" >\n\t    \t    \t        <div class=\"tb-column-inner tf_box tf_w\">\n\t\t    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_x8sl953   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n            <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n    <h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/#art\"><strong>RETURN TO EXHIBITIONS<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->\t        <\/div>\n\t    \t<\/div>\n\t\t    <\/div>\n\t    <!-- \/row_inner -->\n\t<\/div>\n\t<!-- \/module_row -->\n\t<\/div>\n\n<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on the_content --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on the_content -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sikhule sifotwa, sifota, sizifotaSami Qoko Sikhule sifotwa, sifota, sizifota by Sami Qoko When I was born, my paternal grandmother had long passed away. Growing up I would hear stories and jokes, shared by my father and his siblings, reminiscing on how strict a mother she was. Moments like those made me realise how little I [&hellip;]<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2641","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","has-post-title","has-post-date","has-post-category","has-post-tag","has-post-comment","has-post-author",""],"builder_content":"<h1>Sikhule sifotwa, sifota, sizifota<br\/>Sami Qoko<\/h1>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Sami-400x400.jpg\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" title=\"Sami\" alt=\"Sami\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Sami-400x400.jpg 400w, https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Sami-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/>\n<h4><b>Sikhule sifotwa, sifota, sizifota<\/b><\/h4>\n<p>by Sami Qoko<\/p> <p>When I was born, my paternal grandmother had long passed away. Growing up I would hear stories and jokes, shared by my father and his siblings, reminiscing on how strict a mother she was. Moments like those made me realise how little I knew of my parents. Prompted by that curiosity, often I find myself flipping through my family photo albums. There I would find smiles I have never witnessed before, people I only heard of in remembrance and never experienced first-hand. I developed a yearning to be included in these memories. Every now and then I ask my parents about these people; their answers often come with laughter and followed by a \u201cYho lomntu\u2026\u201d (yho this person). Having these conversations with my parents make me feel included, connected even. These are the feelings that have inspired the <i>Sikhule sifotwa, sifota, sizifota<\/i> monotype series. Directly translating to: We grew up being photographed, we capture pictures, and we photograph ourselves too.\u00a0<\/p> <p>At home photography is a norm, my family loves to be photographed. These photographs stand as statements of sorts. I have started to see them as fragments and glimpses of identity. With these photographs, my family members have been active in choosing how they want to be seen. Considering how far this act of compiling photo albums stretches back, my family has been interacting with forms of self-representation for a long time. The significance of this act lies in the nature and history of South Africa. With its racially oppressive systems, historically there has been control placed over our identity and self-representation as people of colour. Independent photography and the compilation of photo albums, presents an opportunity to photographically present ourselves on our own terms.<\/p> <p>As a printmaker, I produce monotype prints inspired by these personal traces. Monotype becomes metaphoric of the individual, expressing the same unique quality I see in each personal image. A monotype print produces a one-of-one, like the irreplicable nature of an individual\u2019s identity. The photo albums express representations of my family members, at times we find them laughing, posing or serious between the inclusion of \u201crandom\u201d landscapes. The identities I have found within these albums reflect the one-of-one nature of the monotype printmaking process. No matter how much you try to print the same exact image, there will be a visible change. Like identity, it is not static, but should allow room for variation. Printmaking has become my language, my form of self-expression. With this medium I continue the work of self-representation.<\/p>\n[gallery ids=\"2865,2866,2867,2868,2869,2870,2871,2872,2874,2875,2876,2877,2878,2879,2881,2883,2884,2863,2864\"]\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/#art\"><strong>RETURN TO EXHIBITIONS<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2641","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2641"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2641\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2885,"href":"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2641\/revisions\/2885"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rhodesfineart.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2641"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}