Maps of the D(r)ying

Hand embroidery on palm leaves, 2025

Project developed and implemented during my stay at the NIROX art residency (Cradle of the Humankind, Gauteng, South African Republic). In it, I stitched topographic maps of the local rivers. The canvases for them are leaves of different kinds of palms I found in the residency garden. These rivers – namely Crocodile River and its tributaries – are at the verge of disappearance. They are drying up or being contaminated, causing shortages of the water supply for people leaving in the area, and also affecting the condition of local soils, plants and animals. I took the leaves as canvases which as well will eventually disappear – like the rivers, they will dry up and soon be gone without a trace, except for the pile of dust and the thread which will fall off unable to hold its shape.