Browsing by Author "Hector, Kirsten Megan"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Material memories and metaphors: an exploration of textiles and clothing in coloured identity and culture.
    (2023-03) Hector, Kirsten Megan; Costandius, Elmarie; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Visual Arts.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: My interest in textiles stems from my fondness of clothing and fashion, but more significantly, from my identity as a coloured woman. Textiles metaphorically allow me to connect with the generations of women in my family who were involved in the domestic spheres of livelihood and the textile industry. The purpose of this study was to investigate how coloured identity and culture can be influenced by and encountered through textiles and clothing. During the apartheid era, with its segregation laws, people were divided along lines of race, and coloured identity was among these. Having a unique conception of identity, coloured people were subjected to an array of challenges, such as marginalisation, shame, forced removals and designated places of employment, with the textile industry being among these. This investigation therefore served to explore the implications of apartheid for coloured identity and culture through textiles of clothing worn, textiles within the home and involvement in the textile industry. In addition, metaphorical ways of thinking about textiles and how connections can be made via the encounters are discussed. A qualitative investigation took place, whereby five women participants from the coloured demographic group and involved in the textile industry during the apartheid era were interviewed. Focus was placed on the marginalised group of coloured women who worked with textiles, but also on how implications of representation and domesticity occurred in these instances. The investigation established the importance of textiles in multiple spheres of being and that textiles play a significant role in coloured identity and culture, as it was observed to influence portrayals, aspirations and ways of being. As the past evoked some distraught sentiments, some healing capabilities were recognised through coming into contact with textiles in the numerous realms discussed.