Question

Willie Bester, an artist from South Africa in the 1990s, created these artworks to highlight oppression. As a migrant, he doesn't get to see his family often. What is the subject of Willie Bester's artworks?

1) Apartheid
2) Migrant Miseries
3) South Africa
4) Oppression

Answer 1

Willie Bester is an artist known for his powerful mixed media artworks depicting the struggles under apartheid in South Africa, using his pieces to tell stories of oppression and celebrate the spirit and dignity of oppressed peoples.

Step-by-step explanation:

South African artist Willie Bester used his artworks to highlight oppression, particularly under the apartheid system's racist structures. He was born in Western Cape, South Africa, and experienced firsthand the harsh realities of living under a system that classified people based on their race and enforced segregation. During the 1980s, Bester joined the Community Arts Project, contributing to the anti-apartheid movement through his art.

Through the use of mixed media materials, Bester's works expressed the painful experiences of those affected by apartheid. His inclusion of oil paints and portrait-like images served to celebrate the spirit of Black and Coloured people. Bester’s art was a form of resistance and self-expression that challenged the institutionalized racism and societal perception of worth. His work serves as a testament to human rights and the reclaiming of dignity through art.