Steiger in de haven van Port Elizabeth c. 1885 - 1910

This is a photograph of the pier in Port Elizabeth, once known as Algoa Bay, capturing a moment of maritime activity. The ships on the horizon are laden with symbolism; vessels of trade, exploration, and, inevitably, colonial ambition. Consider how the ship, as a motif, has sailed through art history. Think of ancient Egyptian funerary boats carrying souls to the afterlife, or the mythical ship Argo in search of the Golden Fleece. Over time, the ship evolved from a symbol of hope and adventure into one of conquest and displacement, reflecting humanity's complex relationship with the sea. Here, in Algoa Bay, the ships carry the weight of European expansion, their presence imbued with both the promise of progress and the shadow of exploitation, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. A symbol once revered now bears the burden of history's darkest chapters.