The painful history of the Cape cannot be avoided, and this trauma is carried by the spaces we inhabit. With this installation, Tiago Rodrigues allows for conversation and contemplation around this history.

Sometimes objects can carry trauma and the farm’s slave bell is one of those objects. The phrase of the work is taken from Brett Bailey’s audio-track ‘21 Gables’, where his fictional character Sannie says “Ring your bell meneer, ring it loud for soon it will be quiet”. The farm’s slave bell used to rule each day for those oppressed by slavery and the installation is an attempt at changing that voice; to bring a different presence to an object that once held so much power over the space.

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Tiago Rodrigues was born in Cape Town as a first generation Portuguese foreign national. He worked intensively as a studio assistant for a number of artists before completing an Honours Degree in Fine Arts (UCT). Rodrigues recently held his debut solo show with SMAC Gallery. He incorporates his background of craftmanship in his work, and explores masculinities, power and violence dynamics inherent in society.

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