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Communities Uniting to Confront HIV/AIDS in Africa:

Materials from the Melville J. Herskovits Library of African Studies

TAPESTRIES

The art of embroidery and quilt-making in Southern Africa has a history of reflecting social change. Artists continue portraying current issues through their art, expressing how people and communities cope with HIV/AIDS. Messages of awareness, choice, prevention, and solidarity appear on these tapestries.

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	South Africa - Dorcas Ngobeni Artist Dorcas Ngobeni conveys messages of safe sexual practices with this embroidery, including monogamy and condom use. Size: 33 x 31 cm
	South Africa This embroidery includes a message addressed to Jane, warning her about AIDS and asking that she use condoms if she does not trust her partner. The piece also includes the telephone number to the South African AIDS helpline. Size: 37 x 33 cm
	South Africa "Get wise condomise" is the message stitched on this embroidery. Size: 40 x 31 cm
	Mozambique Cloth printed with AIDS awareness and prevention messages in French and English. Distributed by the Programa de Controlo de DTS/HIV/SIDA, an AIDS organization in Mozambique. Size: 184 x 110 cm
	Mozambique The same pattern as the cloth above, only with a different color scheme. This cloth was also distributed by the Programa de Controlo de DTS/HIV/SIDA. Size: 184 x 110 cm
	South Africa - Jane Makhubele Artist Jane Makhubele depicts messages of abstinence and fidelity as methods of AIDS prevention. The quilt uses a style of beadwork common among the Tsonga people. Makhubele has produced beaded cloths for over 15 years. Her work has documented the political and social change in South Africa over this period. Size: 148 x 112 cm
	South Africa - Chivirka Group HIV/AIDS is Our Concern Quilt comprised of 117 unique tiles, each expressing different messages about HIV/AIDS. The quilt was made by the Chivirka Group, a women's collective based in the village of Mpambo in Limpopo Province. This piece is made with cloth similar to that of a nceka, a type of clothing worn by Tsonga women. Size: 234 x 216 cm
	South Africa - Chivirka Group HIV/AIDS is Our Concern One tile from the Chivirka quilt suggesting people support, not abandon, individuals with AIDS. Size: 12 x 24 cm
	South Africa - Chivirka Group HIV/AIDS is Our Concern This tile tells people to educate themselves about AIDS. Size: 12 x 24 cm
	South Africa - Chivirka Group HIV/AIDS is Our Concern Pictures two people caring for an individual with AIDS, advocating that communities come together to care for people affected with the disease. Size: 12 x 24 cm

Background information regarding these tapestries courtesy of Craft Art in South Africa, by Elbe Coetsee, published in 2002. Addition information supplied by Henrietta Dax, Clarke's Bookshop in Cape Town, South Africa.