Assylem Atelje

27/01/2020

Robala ka Kgotso Ntate Mofokeng

Just this morning at 05:00 as our daily dose of loadshedding set in I thought of you and remembered your immense archive and felt proud to have known you and shared many a conversation. Thank you for your wisdom and thank you for your support , even when your legs had tired your enthusiasm never waned.

24/01/2020

I summoned a star for you
And you didn't even see
I summoned her before she was ready
She reluctantly orbited
Into this universe
And still didn't want to be born
Into a human body
When the time called for it
She was still in slumber
Oblivious to the ticking of the distress machine
She had to be induced
Painfully yanked out of me
During a conversation between the anaethetist and gynae
About some random DVD
I nervously lead you to my breast
You didn't even recognise hunger
When i first washed her in the nurse's station
She stretched her arms
As a victorious Ali
I called her "Senatla"

I summoned a star for you
Before she was ready
She cried and bemoaned my summon
Through every night for 3 months
Her suckling ripped the skin
Around my ni**le
The nurse assured me she would have been suckling on my blood in another colour anyway
You had already told me you weren't ready
Yet her skin was wrinkled and peeling
Still I summoned a star for you
And here i sit
Contemplating the casualty
Of our love
Trying to figure out where she orbited to
When did she leave...?

I remember...
I dreamt she was coming
I saw her blessed abundant light
And lightening flight
She was hallowed
Bellowing in the vibrations of other masses...
I summoned her
That very brilliant night star
And in my dream
She left at age 11
I don't know when she will return
I summoned a star

- Melissa Goba
October 2019

31/12/2019

RIP Dear King
Roger Botembe
4 March 1959 - 31 December 2019
Thank you for the privilege of 'touching' on the extensive and deep knowledge of Africa from your perspective.
Thank you for your wisdom and love

30/12/2019

Gibran Esther 5
2019
Mixed media on canvas
210 x 270 cm

30/12/2019

Gibran... this list of his books reads like my life since 2018...

08/11/2019

Sunset Procession After the Circling of White Doves

07/11/2019

Restoration Jubilee: Umeå 2001
2019
Oil and Acrylic on found Birch tree
Dimensions variable

20/10/2019

Turn My World Around
New body of work brewing...
But first let's tackle the Sculptural at a grand scale...

21/09/2019

Saturday things

31/08/2019

Untitled(s)
2019
Mixed media on paper
100 x 70 cm

31/08/2019

Amapiano
2019
Mixed media on paper
100 x 70 cm

16/08/2019