Dressed to Kill, 1997

Steel armature, castors, raw cowhide. Dimensions 3'x 9'. From an exhibition titled "Reject" at the KZNSA Gallery, Durban, South Africa.

Inspired by Varyanne Sika's nuanced understanding of identity as a complex amalgamation of social roles and personal facets, the series of sculptures in the "Reject" exhibition at the KZNSA Gallery in Durban, South Africa, serve as a compelling artistic inquiry into the multifaceted nature of identity formation. Fabricated from a combination of industrial armature, mobile castors, and raw cowhide, each sculpture measures 3 feet by 9 feet, occupying physical and conceptual space that invites viewers to engage with intricate dialogue surrounding identity.

The works evoke the societal structures and roles that individuals navigate, often dictated by external factors such as occupation, social status, and cultural norms. In contrast, the raw cowhide introduces an element of personal identity, serving as a tactile and visceral reminder of individual histories, traditions, and emotional landscapes, particularly within the specific cultural context of South Africa. The title "Reject" further complicates the sculptures' engagement with identity by inviting viewers to consider the processes of inclusion and exclusion that shape individual and collective identities. It challenges us to reflect on how societal norms and roles can define and limit our sense of self, prescribing our feelings, mannerisms, thoughts, and general behavior, as Sika articulates.

These works are complex artistic and academic explorations into the intricacies of identity, as understood through the interplay of social, role, and personal dimensions. By employing diverse materials, each carrying their own cultural, historical, and industrial connotations, the works provoke a multifaceted dialogue about how identities are constructed, negotiated, and sometimes rejected within the intricate tapestry of societal expectation and individual agency.