In September 2009, the UFS received a generous grant from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF) to develop and implement the Lotto Sculpture-on-Campus Project. The project allowed the university to commission artists to create a unique and permanent public sculpture collection on the Bloemfontein Campus of the university. Its key focus is to set up diverse and site-specific sculptures that promote a greater understanding, respect, and appreciation of cultural differences and instil a sense of belonging for all.

The latter part of the rationale is great and dovetails with the preamble of the National Heritage Resources Act, No. 25 of 1999. However, the art pieces imbued across campus lack the innovation to drive understanding, respect, and appreciation of differences. I am tempted to recall my biblical teachings, in particular the story about Ezekiel when he was asked “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.” Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, 'Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life”. The key lesson for me is that I believe poetry can breathe life into the dead art on campus.

Using poetry to breathe life into art and memorabilia in public spaces

If art is supposed to tell a story, what kind of stories are these artworks telling? And whose story are they telling?

Historically, poetry was a way to keep record of the events and experiences that happened by means of storytelling and religious instruction and was usually accompanied by music or dance. Poetry in this sense is narrative, offering a chance to tell someone else’s story. It has space for many voices. One story can be approached from different perspectives and be told by many different people, creating a sense of oral record keeping. Poetry allows for multiple meanings, voices, and interpretations. It is expected that new meanings will emerge each year, allowing for additional voices. Therefore, poetry does not serve as art for the sake of art or for the sake of keeping the dominant narratives running, but to offer those less heard voices a chance to take centre stage and add their voices to the conversation about art on campus.

With this article, I challenge each one of us to take a minute and write something about an art piece on campus that intrigues you. These scripts will not only be proceeds of Heritage Month, but in their varied forms can establish a collective narrative about art on campus. Through art my voice becomes your voice and ultimately our voices.

Share this with a friend on Braai Day, join the Art Poetry Group @lindomoore on Instagram.