Muvhili a Si Tsimbii

Davhana was chosen by our Community Manager and Program Curator to participate in one of our Face-to-Face portfolio feedback sessions with our Guest Room Curator Jo. Trujillo Argüelles.

Muvhili a si Tsimbii delves into motherhood's profound mental and physical shifts, specifically postnatal experiences. Using my body as an intimate lens, I depict the lasting impacts of pregnancy and the insidious nature of postnatal depression, which often leads to neglected mental well-being and subsequent physical consequences.

My creative process is deeply personal, primarily through self-portrait photography, forming the basis for physical and digital collages. Recently, I've integrated beads into my material explorations. While the subject remains motherhood's multifaceted experience, my stylistic approach fluctuates, mirroring my shifting moods and mental states. This variability articulates the diverse, often contradictory, phases of motherhood, some manifesting daily.

"The portfolio review session was eye-opening, informative, and motivational. Jo gave me insight on how to broaden my subject matter, what kind of material I can look into, and different approaches to the work that can speak to individual themes and the motifs that are essential to the project. The session was nothing short of authentic feedback – Jo showed appreciation for both the development of my project and gave strong suggestions on how to further build on it.

I am grateful to have been selected as one of the artists for this opportunity. Without this review, I wouldn’t have realised the importance of being more inclusive with the project, although drawing inspiration from a personal lived experience. The review has left me with the knowledge to look closer and outward, and find a way to merge those points of view with the very lens I have been working from. Thank you to Der Greif, Francesca, and Jo for the opportunity!"

- Fiona's testimonial on her “Face-to-Face” Session