SERITHI - The aura of a black woman

  • Dates
    2015 - Ongoing
  • Author
  • Topics Portrait, Contemporary Issues, Fine Art
  • Location South Africa, South Africa

When a confident black woman struts through a space, her presence is announced by the energy she exudes. Her gait, attire and sheer elegance precede her, forming unshakable, roaring opinions in the minds of those looking on. Such women would have a certain phrase associated with their characters. In the African culture you may hear someone utter “Mme o, ona le serithi” which loosely translates to “This woman has a powerful aura”. She jolts you from your sense of comfort and compels you to lean forward and take notice of her, for she exists.

This project sees to emphasize the erasure of black bodies, specifically black women’s bodies in modern history. That we are not in an age where women of colour are able to start sculpting their own narratives, voices and images; that women of colour have never been encouraged to embrace their beings as freely as should have been the case; and that as a result a hypersexual society discourages the full expression of womanhood, particularly in the case of women of colour.

Each woman who contributes to this series brings forth a different personality whilst maintaining a true sense of self. This series embraces the multiplicity of characteristics that make each woman intensely unique in terms of her aptitude to embrace everything that comes with being a black woman.

© Manyatsa Monyamane - MaTwins - Mamelodi, 2018
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MaTwins - Mamelodi, 2018

© Manyatsa Monyamane - Kgaugelo - Mahube Valley, 2019
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Kgaugelo - Mahube Valley, 2019

© Manyatsa Monyamane - Thandi & Stella - Soweto, 2018
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Thandi & Stella - Soweto, 2018

© Manyatsa Monyamane - Philla - Westdene, 2019
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Philla - Westdene, 2019

© Manyatsa Monyamane - Negiste - Troyeville, 2019
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Negiste - Troyeville, 2019

© Manyatsa Monyamane - Jojo & Oba - Mamelodi, 2018
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Jojo & Oba - Mamelodi, 2018

© Manyatsa Monyamane - Gladys - Mamelodi, 2018
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Gladys - Mamelodi, 2018

© Manyatsa Monyamane - Nomahlube - Kagiso, 2019
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Nomahlube - Kagiso, 2019

© Manyatsa Monyamane - Diva - Pretoria, 2015
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Diva - Pretoria, 2015

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