The Keiskamma Altarpiece Unveiling

On Thursday 30th June 2005 I arrived at Grahamstown just in time to see the opening of the new Keiskamma artwork exhibition piece in the St. Michael and St. George Cathedral. There was standing room only; the cathedral was full of Keiskamma artists, relatives, and friends. Many passers-by had been drawn in by the sound of energetic singing. Xhosa choirs are something else, the singers have no inhibitions and everyone gives their all. The atmosphere in the place was electric.

The altarpiece looked magnificent. Standing in splendour in the chancel it seemed as if it had always belonged there. Nothing, had prepared me for the magnitude of both the work and the message; it was breathtaking. I found it hard to believe that only six months had passed since we started the work with shreds of material, strands of thread and loose beads. Justus made the support frames, which include the mechanics for the winged panels. Yet again, Carol’s vision has been realised and has triumphed.

Jan Chalmers