A Glimpse Between Memoirs: Childhood Nostalgia

OCTH [Our Cape Town Heritage] introduces the artistic collaboration of Shaunez Benting and Whaleed Ahjum who both explore the crucial role nostalgia and cultural heritage plays within shaping identity.

Both artists share stories of their identity through their detailed art and rich cultural history, allowing them to connect with their compelling past. By revisiting the historical tapestry of South Africa, encompassing both its triumphs and challenges, the artists craft a narrative that is both intricate and deeply personal. Serving as poignant reminders of the historical struggles endured by our predecessors and their strength, shaping our present-day sense of community.

As part of ‘decolonizing the art world’, it is important to focus on creating local art cannons that sheds light on how we view culture and heritage, to show what art is to the marginalized and how outlook influences our perception of the things we view that is informed by culture, tradition, religion and history. The idea serves to push back on the Western ideologies and values, creating an accessible space for more cultural stories to be honoured, embraced and told about marginalized people, their culture and history.