Eland-headed snake

This sculpture depicts a snake (python) with the head of an antelope (eland). The sculpture weaves in and out of the wall. The sculpture is incpired by the painted rock art imagery of the southern Africna San.

The rock surface acted as a veil between the real and spirit worlds and that the images entering or exiting natural features in the rock surface were actually entering or exiting the spirit world. Cracks and crevices of rock surfaces (as well as waterholes and termite mounds) linked the spirit world to the real world. Many rock paintings and engravings incorporate natural features of the rock surface, with some painted images appearing to enter or exit cracks, crevices or steps in the rock surface.

The argument was supported by the testimony of Manqindi Dyantyi, an old woman living in the former Transkei territory, whose father was the last San painter. She described how the San used to touch the paintings during dances to harness the supernatural energy within them.

Supernatural potency is called n|om by the Kalahari Ju|’hoansi, and !gi by the |Xam of the Karoo and has been described as being like an electrical current. Certain animals associated with water, fertility, blood, fat, and transformation are particularly potent. These animals include the eland, termites, snakes, and bees. Inanimate objects like plants, and intangibles like dances and songs are also a source of potency.