Commissioned by Philagraphika, Philadelphia, USA

Searle’s work draws inspiration from an American painting, The Spirit of ’76. The sound is a digitally manipulated version of the American Centennial March, composed to honour the centenary of the 1776 Declaration of Independence. The work hints at veneration and victory, but also of potential loss – the risk of liberty fading: whether in North America, or South Africa (for which the 1976 Soweto Uprising was a key moment in the anti-apartheid Struggle).

Tracy Murinik writes of the video: ‘The imagery that it represents – the flag the rosette, the wreath – (...) are themes of veneration, and inferences of victory. But they may also be commemorative and memorial markers of loss.’

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Searle has an MA from UCT’s Michaelis School of Fine Art, where she is a Professor and Director. She has won many awards globally, including being the Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Visual Art (2003). Amongst many prestigious exhibitions, hernwork was included in a number of Venice Biennales, and in numerous shows in the USA, UK and Germany. This year Searle is artist-in-residence at the Maitland Institute and the Featured Artist at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown.