Image: Shelley Christians/UWCThere is an artist within all of us, and if allowed to express ourselves, creativity will flow from the brush to the canvas, and something beautiful will emerge.
This was the intention of a 10-week student art programme titled “Art and Identity”, which brought together creativity, introspection and community in a powerful showcase of student expression at the University of the Western Cape (UWC).
Sixteen students participated in immersive workshops that lasted just over 35 hours, engaging with themes such as belonging, nature and self, cultural objects, and personal storytelling.
The result was a vibrant exhibition of collages, drawings, and mixed-media pieces that reflected deep emotional and philosophical inquiry. The artistic creations were displayed at the UWC Main Library on the day that the students received their certificates of participation in the programme.
Artist Fran Saunders served as the Programme Facilitator, guiding the students through this opportunity to explore their identity through visual art. “Human beings are natural creators,” she said.
“When we make art, we flourish.” She praised the students’ willingness to take conceptual risks, embrace mistakes, and explore their inner worlds with honesty and clarity. “This wasn’t a conventional art exhibition,” she explained. “It was a showcase of inquiry, curiosity and courage.”
UWC Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Robert Balfour, himself a painter, reflected on the importance of integrating art into academic life. “Art and science are two sides of the moon. Without creative outlets, the identity of the academic is only half-formed,” said Prof Balfour.
He also shared anecdotes about how art helped him navigate life decisions and emphasised that hobbies such as painting are essential to growth, discovery and self-understanding.
“Life is not left to right,” Prof Balfour said: “It’s like this,” he gestured, describing the nonlinear nature of human experience. “Art helps us integrate ourselves, our bodies, our histories, our dreams.”
Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Student Development and Support, Prof Matete Madiba, echoed these sentiments, calling the programme a “healing journey.” She praised the students’ commitment and the depth of their engagement. “Creativity doesn’t just push you to the next level of growth; it heals,” she said. “You start with nothing, and end with something that speaks to you.” Prof Madiba also highlighted the philosophical growth evident in the students’ reflections, noting how their vocabulary evolved from “happy” and “excited” to words like “fluidity,” “erasure,” and “continuity.” She pledged to host a reunion for the group next year and encouraged staff and students to partner in expanding the initiative.
Two history honours students were among the 16 participants in the programme and shared their experiences with the audience. Solethu Ncapayi said that the programme was a journey into new ways of thinking. “The word ‘undone’ kept recurring in my head,” he said.
“Not because the workshops were short-lived, but because I didn’t realise how much the conversations we had with Fran and amongst ourselves had broadened my frame of thinking.” He spoke of grappling with complex concepts such as modernity, culture, and duality, and how art became a tool for navigating these ideas.
Mihlali Ngubo echoed these sentiments and said: “Weeks before the programme, I was obsessed with finding a hobby to escape academic stress,” she said. “Then I got a text from a friend saying, ‘They’re doing one of the best things in the world— they’re painting.’ She then described her first encounter with Mandala art and the unexpected emotional resonance it evoked: “Through each brushstroke I became. Our paintings rocked from our souls the dust of everyday life.”
Prof Madiba handed each participating student their certificate of completion and added that she is looking forward to expanding the reach and impact of the art programme, and to how the students will benefit from the workshops today and in the future.
