Notes

In Black Poetry one sees another stylistic and symbolic reference from Guernica, left centre of the collage is an abstract female form in distress, with a dismembered arm emerging from behind the figure. This image is the sole signifier of distress and suffering that, in contrast to the rest of the calm and collected figures, speaks to extreme disparities present within our society; here the viewer gets a sense of Mabulu’s criticism of perceived global culture. Adjacent to the abstract figure’s legs is a collaged image of two young black men in
an embrace. The image is likely to be by South African photographer and artist Jürgen Schadeberg who photographed historic and focal moments in South African history by documenting the poetics of black culture.