Sarah Baartman : www.vgallery.co.za

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Artist Willie Bester unveiled his newest sculpture titled 'Sarah Bartmann' at his studio on Friday, 7 July 2000. Sarah also known as the " Hottentot Venus " was a indigenous woman taken from the Cape to Europe by her Dutch employer and put on display by an animal trainer to show off her distinct anatomy. She didn't share in the profits as she was promised and died in exile far from her motherland and tribe. After Cuvier made a plaster cast of her body, it was dissected and her organs were still on display in Musee de l Homme, Paris up till 1974. A poem reading by various poets, was a tribute to Sarah's life and death.
Diana Ferrus, A poem for Sarah Bartmann: "I've come to take you home - home, remember the veld? the lush green grass beneath the big oak trees the air is cool there and the sun does not burn. I have made your bed at the foot of the hill, your blankets are covered in buchu and mint, the proteas stand in yellow and white and the water in the stream chuckle sing-songs as it hobbles along over little stones. I have come to wretch you away - away from the poking eyes of the man-made monster who lives in the dark with his clutches of imperialism who dissects your body bit by bit who likens your soul to that of Satan and declares himself the ultimate god! I have come to soothe your heavy heart I offer my bosom to your weary soul I will cover your face with the palms of my hands I will run my lips over lines in your neck I will feast my eyes on the beauty of you and I will sing for you for I have come to bring you peace. I have come to take you home where the ancient mountains shout your name. I have made your bed at the foot of the hill, your blankets are covered in buchu and mint, the proteas stand in yellow and white - I have come to take you home where I will sing for you for you have brought me peace."



VIDEO : The life and times of Sarah Bartmann