Willem van den Berg met een vrouw en een jongen bij een rivier in Makuleke, Zuid-Afrika 1968

Curator: Welcome. The piece before you is a collage titled "Willem van den Berg met een vrouw en een jongen bij een rivier in Makuleke, Zuid-Afrika," created in 1968. It combines photography and, potentially, colored pencil or watercolors, and comes from van den Berg's personal sketchbook during his time in Makuleke, now part of the Kruger National Park. Editor: Oh, wow. I immediately feel a kind of bittersweet nostalgia looking at it. Like someone captured a stolen moment in time. The sepia tones lend it this timeless, slightly faded quality. There is almost like someone reminiscing, looking back on a cherished memory of connection with family, and nature. Curator: Exactly. The composition reflects broader societal issues, of how individuals were situated within, or sometimes estranged from, the landscape, especially during a time marked by social and political complexities in South Africa. It invites us to consider the relationship between identity, belonging, and the environment. Editor: I can imagine a gentle, peaceful vibe, a welcome contrast to any potential political climate, if it existed in real time. A kind of sanctuary. Perhaps that's what makes it poignant. Do you know how personal is sketchbook was used and displayed? Curator: The fact that this piece is within a sketchbook context provides a very private viewing space. As you said, that intimacy with family life is at its core, it’s a snapshot, seemingly idyllic, yet the complexities of the time are undeniable when looking at the placement. A reminder that personal lives and art exist intertwined within broader societal systems, policies, and historical trajectories. Editor: Right, it speaks to the power of those moments amidst social upheaval or whatever may be going on. Beautiful how that can coexist. It's the visual equivalent of holding onto a beautiful song during a storm, you know? Curator: I completely agree, understanding van den Berg’s creation of a scrapbook and the collage and painting medium is valuable for understanding its commentary. This work contributes a layer to understanding intersectionality, reminding us to consider the interplay between the aesthetic, personal, and the politically informed environment of its creation. Editor: Yeah, it adds layers to everything, which I didn't even think was possible when first seeing it. Now when I see these kinds of works, and I am curious to remember the story beyond the painting. Thanks for unveiling it for me, for us.