Created for The International Public Art Festival under the theme 'Humanity' in 2022, which aimed to encourage artists to initiate conversations about our shared humanity. It sought to provoke contemplation on the post-COVID world and the significance of reconnecting, rebuilding, and instead of focusing on our differences rather highlight our common humanity after challenging times.
Out of this theme, 'I Am All Ears' made its mark as a large-scale collaborative piece between Yessiow and Baz-Art, a feature on Cape Town cityscape. Yessiow, having grown up in Indonesia, found herself reflecting on her history curriculum during her school years, which did not include South African history. Prior to her travels, she had assumed that the two countries, Indonesia and South Africa, might share similar colonial histories under Dutch and British rulers. Her understanding of South Africa's history was based on her own notions of colonization and foreign rule.
The artist stated: ‘The more I learn about it (South African History), the more I realise it is a very different story. Truly listening is most important to get rid of preconceived notions and to try to understand ’.
This artwork serves as a poignant reminder of the power of listening in breaking down social constructs of 'us' and 'them.' It highlights the idea that through learning from one another, we can deepen our understanding of our shared humanity.
Can you think of a story you were told that allowed you to learn a new perspective?
