Cynthia Schwertsik

More from the south

we have been painting – watercolors – a whole day and by and by the kids got into it, and even the teachers started to come by and give it a go that was nice, after all – it isn’t so easy to know if the things you suggest are appreciated, if you are standing in the classroom of a bunch of teenagers – they are talking zulu – or rather chanting, dancing, screaming zulu – and zooming in and out of the room – busying them selfs with various important tasks – I feel rather ignored but then they come up and smile and ask you: “when will we do this again”!

I started to paint & some of the kids saw it – they wanted me to teach them how to do that – I really have to think hard, because to me it is clear – you learn by doing, doing, doing, and then there is a little moment of support a teacher can give by asking the right question, or showing something, and then you continue – and you find out – not much can be teached really – you must incorporate – you want to know – you are craving to find out – what ever it is you are aiming for it needs all your attention and energy to satisfy – to make you feel like you are getting some where – you are understanding, changing, transforming – well – pathetic, but to me it seems like if I haven’t put myself into it, then the outcome will not surprise me – but that is what I want!

now I got myself into a real challenge – I observed, that the sewing-class doesn’t work out, the teacher is just putting the kids off by talking about patterns – that is a shame, because this is a skill that might come in really handy to these kids – from my point of view – some of them might love to make some clothes, one or the other might dream of getting into the world of fashion-design. just to be able to mend your clothes is helpful. this school is meant to support the kids from the surrounding townships teach them skills that will make them survive and find a way to move on & out of the total poverty so I will get my sewing-skills out of the back of my head & then let’s go – we will see what that does to my paintings -

I am starting on the african colors – I was so surprised to hear, that the architects, that are setting up the buildings on the school site said: africa has no color I see the opposite – amazing greens, because of the rain, red earth, blooming trees, occre hills in the back – and all changing in the very different light – today gray & damp – yesterday dry & bright – enormous sunsets & birds, bright yellow & another one red the next black & white with a splendid tail & no place without people – walking, sitting, squatting – carrying loads, searching & living in almost anything … anywhere…..