On Saturday 14 December 2019, Fine Arts lecturer at Stellenbosch University (SU) Ledelle Moe will have her work displayed at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA).
The MASS MoCA is one of the largest centres for contemporary visual art and performing arts in the United States.
Moe was raised in Durban where she says her artistic abilities started in a peculiar way.
“It was back in the day when everyone smoked and it wasn’t even known to anybody’s obvious knowledge that it was so bad.”
“My grandmother smoked Peter Stuyvesant and my first little artwork was on the back of a pack of 30 Stuyvesants. There were quite a lot of empty cigarette boxes, so the back of these boxes became my first little place of drawing.”
Ledelle Moe says contemporary fine art is a practice she does through a personal lens and very personal narrative. PHOTO: Supplied.
Born during South Africa’s segregation era, Moe’s art was a way for her to make sense of the world while being encouraged by her family to pursue this career.
“I went off to art school in the late 80s early 90s which is right at the turning point of everything. Essentially my education was tempered by the idea that art could give voice to really unspeakable things. That was a poetic way to understand the complexities and contradictions of the world.”
“I loved the art department at my school and thankfully had an excellent teacher. You really need role models and people to show you and give you permission and confidence that this is a good thing to do.”
According to Ledelle, the process of creating monuments are labour intensive and often take months to complete. PHOTO: Supplied.
After completing her undergraduate at Technikon Natal (now Durban University of Technology), Moe won the Emma Smith scholarship, allowing her to study abroad. According to Moe, what was supposed to be a two week trip to Chicago, ended with her awarded the opportunity to study and work in the US.
“I was writing my thesis at the time on the author Carol Becker and wanted to interview her in Chicago. I was going to leave after two weeks but had the opportunity to help Kendall Buster, a sculptor in Washington DC, on a project she was doing.”
“After a few short visits, one thing led to the next and I got a scholarship and stayed for two years to do my masters. Straight after, I got a job and stayed another year.”
Ledelle Moe says she was delighted after hearing that her work will be displayed in the US. Here she is seated alongside Thula. PHOTO: Marecia Damons.
After residing in the US for two decades, Moe returned to South Africa. As a lecturer, she has inspired a number of her students like final year Fine Arts student, Jana Visser (22).
“Our critique and feedback sessions with her were always eye-openers. Ledelle is a good listener and even better interpreter and observer. Her critical approach to students’ work, and especially my own work, provided me with many angles to approach certain problems or how to move forward with projects.”
“Many times she would invite other renowned artists with specific skill sets who taught us certain techniques. These were valuable learning opportunities for us and great exposure to the broader art community,” Visser adds.
Prospective Visual Arts student at SU Annelie Louw says, “I’ve read a lot about her and seen her work online. I’m very excited about learning as much as possible from both Ledelle and the Visual Arts Department as a whole.”
Later this year Moe’s display in Massachusetts will consist of 13 sculptures.
“I’ve been working on half of the pieces for the show here in South Africa over the course of the last year and the other half is already in the States. So, both parts of the work will join together to make up a new exhibition.”
Visser adds that she’s always considered Moe’s work to be “of international standards, so the exhibition in Massachusetts comes as no surprise”.
“It is very exciting and impressive and we are all very proud of her for representing contemporary South African sculptures on such a scale and at such a prestigious institution as MASS MoCa,” says Visser.