Don’t miss open exhibition at Margate Art Museum
A seemingly gentle painting reveals a powerful story of family, distance and longing.
At first glance, Celeste van der Merwe’s Knitting the Nations: ‘Will I See Them Again?’, a featured work in the annual open art exhibition at the Margate Art Museum, appears quiet and subtle.
A woman sits knitting, with her eyes closed, absorbed in the simple yet complex task in her hands. But the longer you look, the more the painting begins to raise questions.
Celeste is an artist based on the South Coast, often using colour and symbolism to portray emotion and spirituality.
In this work, the knitting does not resemble a regular knitted jersey or blanket. But instead, textured knitted patches of different colours spread from the hands
to her lower body, portraying pieces of countries and continents rather than fabric alone.
According to the artist, the piece reflects on the fragility of family bonds and the strain placed on connections when loved ones are scattered.
She adds that subtle imagery places the United States in the sky, while Europe emerges from the mother’s needles, emphasising the global reach of the mother’s labour.
The woman’s closed eyes are quite intriguing. They invite curiosity about what might be going through her mind.
She appears calm, yet slightly burdened, as if aware of the emotional weight of what she is creating.
The phrase: ‘Will I See Them Again?’ adds a sense of uncertainty and yearning, pushing the viewer to think about separation, distance, and family ties.
It encourages viewers to look beyond borders and conflicts, reminding us that behind the movement of nations are people, families and delicate connections held together by care but can be divided by events beyond their control.
In the context of current global affairs, the painting feels especially relevant.
The exhibition is scheduled to end on June 25. The museum is open from Tuesday to Friday: 08:00 to 16:00 and on Saturdays from 08:00 to 14:00.
Closed on Mondays, and admission is free.
*Art review written by Sibahle Khowa (Adv. Diploma, Library and Information Science Studies).
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
