Exhibition: We Cannot Be Silent at the Castle of Good Hope

A dynamic multimedia exhibition seeks to challenge ideas around gender violence in Cape Town. We Cannot Be Silent – it’s time to take action.

This multimedia art exhibition explores violence against women and children. This is a tragically common issue in Cape Town; to the point that it has almost been accepted as just another part of everyday events here. In an effort to denormalise gender-based violence and sensitise people to the plight of vulnerable women and children, a collective of artists have created a selection of work that seeks to bring the subject home, to bring the viewer closer to the matter and break the detachment. We Cannot Be Silent comprises a collection of stunning, stirring work by artists in various mediums, including painting, film, dance and music. Head to the Old Heritage Halls at the Castle of Good Hope to check out the exhibition, which will be running from Wednesday, 9 August (Women’s Day) until Sunday, 24 September 2017.

In particular, the showcase honours the women and children who have lost their lives to rape and murder in the country, and draws attention to these tragedies in a sensitive and personal way. Together with stirring musical and theatre performances, poetry slams and visual art, there will be several panel discussions and a workshop around the topic. Finally, the exhibition provides a safe space where victims and their loved ones can share in the love and healing that the experience seeks to promote.

WHAT YOU’LL FIND AT THE 2017 EXHIBITION OF WE CANNOT BE SILENT AT THE CAPE TOWN CASTLE OF GOOD HOPE

A variety of Cape Town artists are involved, and some have created pieces specifically for the event. Some art-makers and creative performers to look out for include poet Bulelwa Basse, who will be reading one of her poems at the launch of the event at 11am on 9 August, and Malika Omar, a renowned pianist and composer, who will perform a piano piece she composed specifically for the exhibition.

Nadine Angel Cloete, an award-winning filmmaker, will be showcasing a short film addressing the safety concerns women face walking the streets of Cape Town at night, while photographer Sumayan Hisham will share a series of photographs around the story of Rene Tracy Roman, aged 13, who was murdered earlier this year.

These are just some of the creative productions to look forward to at the event – there is also plenty more! It’s well worth witnessing this moving exhibition about an issue that it particularly difficult, but very important, to address.

ENTRY TO THE 2017 EXHIBITION OF WE CANNOT BE SILENT AT THE CAPE TOWN CASTLE OF GOOD HOPE

Admission is free and the event is kid-friendly. The exhibition will be opening at 11am on its launch day on Wednesday, 9 August and continue until Sunday, 24 September 2017. On every day of the exhibition after 9 August it will be open from 9am until 4pm.

If you need any more information, please feel free to contact Yazeed Kamaldien via yazkamaldien@gmail.com or +27 (0)82 682 2438.

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