Untold Histories: Artistic Reflections on Colonialism

Dimensions: 7111 × 4000 Technique: Digital collage/illustration

Inspired by the poignant tale of Sarah Baartman, also known as Venus Hottentot, and the iconic work "Birth of Venus" by Sandro Botticelli, this artwork transcends time to weave a narrative of resilience, exploitation, and the enduring quest for true liberation.

“They Promised her Venus but gave her a Cage in France... They promised they would crown her but gave her chains instead... They Promised she would be a star but she was a circus act to them”.

These words form a haunting poem, encapsulating the disillusionment and the heart-wrenching transformation of a promise into a nightmare. HISTORY Sarah was a Khoikhoi woman who was exhibited as a freak show attraction in 19th-century Europe under the name Hottentot Venus, a name which was later attributed to at least one other woman similarly exhibited. The women were exhibited for their steatopygic body type uncommon in Western Europe which not only was perceived as a curiosity at that time but became a subject of scientific interest as well as of erotic projection.

''La Belle Hottentote'', a 19th-century French print of Baartman "Venus" is sometimes used to designate representations of the female body in arts and cultural anthropology, referring to the Roman goddess of love and fertility. "Hottentot" was a colonial-era term for the indigenous Khoikhoi people of southwestern Africa, now usually considered an offensive term. The Sarah Baartman story is often regarded as the epitome of racist colonial exploitation and the commodification of the dehumanization of black people.

The print "La Belle Hottentote" and the poster advertising her exhibition stand as historical records of this exploitation. The derogatory term "Hottentot" reflects the colonial-era dehumanization of the Khoikhoi people. Through "Promised Venus," I strive to preserve Sarah Baartman's story on the blockchain, ensuring that her narrative is remembered beyond time. This artwork serves as a tribute to Sarah Baartman's resilience and the countless individuals whose stories have been silenced by history. By reimagining the past through Afrofuturist art, I aim to create a dialogue that challenges perceptions and fosters empathy. "Promised Venus" is an invitation to confront the past, celebrate resilience, and envision a future where exploitation is replaced by empowerment.