OffBeat by Offbeat

ISSUE 1

OCTOBER 2015

Offbeat

Graffiti

and driving people up the wall pg9

A close look at art in its most unnatural and unconventional forms.

Comfort Phiri and Nontoh Gumede on graffiti. Photo: Ofentse Maphari

BUT ON POINT.

Contents: Coffee artpg4 ART 4 ART pg8

MINOR

PRODUCTIONpg6

Hip-hop Activismpg5 Tattoos

pg13

Hair

pg10

Comics

pg12

INSTAGRAMERS OF GHT pg11

H.S.S. Cultural Show

pg5

Graffiti

pg9

Hippiespg14

Edi to ri a l

he red spray-paint blazoned across the Rhodes administration building set off a firestorm of debate across our small campus. Politics lecturers, Pharmacy students, grounds keeping and dining hall staff: everyone had an opinion on the graffiti. Although there were different voices in the sea of opinions, there was one question that was the focal point of the debate: did the graffiti constitute art? At Rhodes University – an institution renowned for its liberal attitude and ‘hippie’ lifestyle – there are preconceived ideas of what art is. More importantly, there are ideas about who can create and appreciate art. The Fine Arts Department, which looks cold and remote from the outside, and the Music Department, far removed from the rest of campus, tucked away in its own corner of Grahamstown. In the Rhodes community, specific things qualify as art, and specific groups of people are the only ones able to enjoy and participate in the artistic process. However, this is now changing. No longer confined to the museum, the theatre, or the music room, art is morphing into a majestic, multi-coloured space that everyone can be a part of. The tattoo parlour that has etched verse and design onto the skin of students and staff alike, turning people into human canvases. In the words of tattoo master “Black arm” Burt, tattoo artists are just “preaching from a different bible.” The young adult who decides to use his hair as an art piece and dyes his strands a violent shade of pink. Even our resident barista Sisa, whose nimble hands transform humble coffee beans into creamy coffee. Each customer gets their cup of coffee topped with a design, made by the award winning barista himself. It is a little piece of art you can see, smile at, and consume. As the debate around transformation in Rhodes University continues, so does the perceptions around what art is continue to be questioned. The graffiti, singing and chanting around campus is just one of many examples of a movement aimed at rethinking the definition of art, and making it more inclusive. Our first edition chronicles the people of Grahamstown, and their journey to make their art, their way.

Love, Mako

New s

Hand Made Coffees meets Festival Gallery G

rahamstown’s popular coffee shop Hand Made Coffees opened its doors to loyal customers in a new and bigger branch on Wednesday. The new premises is located across the road from the previous site at Drosty Arch and now shares its space with the art-friendly Festival Gallery. The shop’s head barista Sisa Mapetu explained that this move was inspired by the growing need to accommodate a bigger market. He believes that, just like the gallery, coffee serves as an artistic display of skill and creativity. “Coffee is a combination of art and science in that it requires a combination of different flavours, the right temperature and attitude, as well as attention to detail to ensure that the drink has a consistent flavour,” he said. Although Grahamstown already has many coffee shops, Mapetu is not worried that this might jeopardise the business’s success.“I always sell happiness in a cup and I make it a point that customers feel good about themselves by the time they leave and not many coffee shops can do that,” he says. Mapetu no longer runs the coffee shop by himself, Christopher Wagner who also works there full time. He explained that thanks to the expansion, they can now provide further employment. Wagner has a year’s experience as a barista having worked at Café Bella in East London. Wagner believes that Hand Made Coffees and Festival Gallery complement each other well. He says that this is not just for the customers’ good, but it also helps to stimulate their creativity when preparing the wide range of drinks offered. First-time customer in the new premises, Toni-Lee Edwards, expressed her delight at finally having the chance to sit in a comfortable space and have her favourite latte. “I absolutely love the idea of the gallery being attached to the coffee shop and I cannot wait to work on my assignments and readings in here,” she said.

Photos: Phiwokuhle Dlamini

Words: Phiwokuhle Mandisa Dhlamini

New s

The heartbeat of India R

hodes University’s Hindu Student Society (HSS) will be holding their annual Culture Show at the National 1820 Settler Monument next weekend. The theme of the event this year is The Royal Taj and aims to exhibit Hindu culture amidst other cultures. The Culture Show invites people to enjoy an evening with traditional Indian cuisine, several shows, and an after-party at local club Prime. Cultural Officer Tamryn Iyer believes that such an event is necessary as a means of keeping the Hindu culture alive amongst students who are so far from home. Many customs are lost when students move away from their families, and they lose the passion for their heritage.

The Hindu Student Society is one of Rhodes University’s oldest societies, and has been used as a platform for people of the Hindu culture to recuperate with people like themselves. Apart from the Cultural Show and the popular colour fest, the HSS hosts small events where students can get together to partake in henna, hookah-smoking, trips to the temple, or movie evenings.

The performances includes Bollywood dance numbers accompanied by mainstream Indian pop music, as well as the Rhodes Chamber Choir, amongst others. The event is also accompanied by the annual First Year Dance. Iyer explains that one does not need to be Hindu to attend. The evening upholds some general Hindu traditions such as the Lighting of the Lamp symbolising asking the Lord for his blessing, and a vegetarian meal without alcohol, but is nevertheless for the benefit of everyone wanting a relaxing and joyous evening. The event was noted as the most successful event of 2014 and is sponsored by the local temple, of which is visited occasionally by students of the HSS throughout the year.

Photo credit : Alex King .Cultural Officer Tamryn Iyer poses in the sun

Hip-hop activism and Steve Biko n the spirit of creative and artistic expression, Rhodes University students and members of social revolutionary organisation Fingo Revolution hosted an event commemorating the legacy of Steve Biko on 12 September 2015. This marks the day of his assassination in 1977. During his performance, poet, rapper, and Science student Mbasa “Virus” Sigcau, shared the same sentiments as Biko when he said that there was no sin greater than that of censoring one’s mouth and depriving themselves of the right to freedom of expression when their minds refuse to follow suit. He encouraged the audience to speak unapologetically and demand to be heard. Other artists performed their own songs and poems on Black Consciousness and social awareness, whilst others chose to read quotes from Biko’s I Write What I Like and highlighted its relevance and significance to the youth of Africa today.

Video: Phiwokuhle Dlamini

Photos: Phiwokuhle Dlamini

In the words of Stephen Biko, “Ground for revolution is always fertile in the presence of absolute destitution”. This is quote seamlessly justifies the

youth’s constant urge to speak out against social inequalities in the way that they like. There is no denying that indeed the revolution will continue to be televised. Hip-Hop Activism has rapidly emerged as the sought-after template for addressing social and political injustices. This term was first introduced by hip-hop journalist and member of one of the world’s renowned groups in history, Public Enemy, Harry Allen. The youth of South Africa has also adopted this artistically engaging style of tackling social injustices through the popular culture of rap, poetry, beatboxing and breakdancing. Very few activists who fought the then oppressive Apartheid system would have associated Bantu Stephen Biko with a genre of music that has been criticised for perpetuating misogynistic ideals and racial stereotypes. However, Hip-hop activism seeks to change this marred reputation by serving as a voice for the voiceless and hope for the hopeless. Words: Phiwokuhle Mandisa Dhlamini

Photos: Phiwokuhle Dlamini

Photo: Alex King : Sasha Taylor of A Minor Production tells us about her many, many talents

Fe atu re s

A (not so) Minor Production

AMP

Feat ure s S

tarting from a tiny flicker of inspiration, A Minor Production (AMP) has slowly grown to be a successful platform exclusively used to celebrate and enjoy music in a unique way. AMP showcases mere music adoration and the enchanting world of music production through their online website and YouTube channel. A Minor Production lays the foundation for people of the internet to engage, interact and learn from each other, all with a common passion for music. The trio includes three musicians: Jessica Kent, founder and manager, Kristine Botha, writer and lyricist, and fellow singer and guitar player, Sasha Taylor. The group works together to maintain the online presence for music lovers and advice seekers. “I have always loved music,” says founder and manager, Jessica Kent. Kent claims that the idea to create A Minor Production was inspired by her admiration for the Vlogbrothers and the YouTube community that excited her so much. Kent studied classical music in school and has been writing and recording songs since she was fourteen. She felt inspired to start her own channel and was graciously joined by Botha and Taylor, who both wanted the outlet for their own personal expression. Kent expresses that her “idea is for AMP to be a community where musicians give advice and talk about their experiences with singing, songwriting and musical instruments.”

Photo: Alex King : Sasha strums a melody

Singer and guitar player Sasha Taylor believes that what makes AMP so special is the different

7 functions and abilities of all its members, all of which work well together and each practise great skill in their music-making. Taylor took piano lessons when she was younger, which has helped her acquire her particular musical ear. She then self-taught herself the guitar and practises singing. The advice she gives to dreamers like herself, is to just go for it. The group battles to determine the paramount genre of their music but promote an indie sound. A.M.P. hosts many music videos presented by the trio. These range from covers of popular songs, to completely new compositions. Lyricist and writer for the blog, Kristine Botha claims her songs are either inspired by events in her life, her fancy for storytelling, or by her mood. She says she is also inspired by other lyricists, who in a particular way, influence her own exclusive style of writing. Her experience in writing comes from her skill for writing poetry. Kent notes, “I think we’re unique in the way that we write in a style that isn’t a part of any one of our genres, but with aspects of each of our personal styles combined to create unique music. Botha has also begun to learn the guitar, but refrains from performing because of a lack of confidence. Established at the end of last year in Grahamstown, A Minor Production had to overcome a particular hurdle when their leading lady moved home to East London. The group has thus been battling to find time for rehearsing and mutual participation in the project, although Kent reassures that they will be back in September, pro-

viding their viewers with new and more content. Online content will include more music videos of the trio performing, album reviews, Musician of the Month announcements and semi-educational articles written by new hands.

“We don’t just write our own music, we talk about different aspects of our music on our website and YouTube channel, sharing our experiences behind the scenes and our thoughts on popular culture,” says Kent. Every so often, the group features another musician in their broadcasts. This provides an intriguing variety of content that keeps the website compelling. As for now, Botha hopes that A.M.P. will become the platform to learn, collaborate and grow as a musician. Kent concludes, saying, “I’d be ecstatic if AMP could become a place where musicians could make music and talk about music, and become its own little community.” A Minor Production hopes to continue cultivating steadily. Taylor concludes saying that A Minor Production was originally started for fun, but it has shown great potential and continues to grow. Words: Alexandra King

Fe atu re s

art 4 art AT 37 ON neW

usicians, poets, performers, fine artists photographers, film makers and professionals all gathered together on 5 August 2015 or the Art for Art event at 37 on New.

Photo: Ofenste Maphari : Depiction of a graffiti artist painting

The event is aimed at creating an environment where artists can express themselves and grow in their work alongside other artists. Mthabisi, one of the organisers, explained how this event came about. He said that “myself and Charles, who is my partner, recognise that there is a huge need to uplift artists in Grahamstown who feel stifled by the lack of resources available to them to grow.” Artists arrived in much excitement. The event is predominately in the form of art workshops here artists come together and read, recite poetry, perform, paint, draw and examine each other’s work for future collaboration. Mthabisi says, “Fluidity in the content produced is important to enable freedom for the artists and the audience to participate allowing ease in the environment.” Mthabisi passionately wants to create a community of artists for the sake of growth and innovation in art in Grahamstown. “We want to launch an assault on public spaces to enable and find different creative voices with every move we make as a collective,” he says. Mthabisi hopes that people will continue to engage with this non-profit organisation to make it more successful. He hopes to have some sponsors in the future to collaborate with him in making this an important event so that people can see that there is more to Rhodes than the drinking culture. As Mosa Kasier, one of the artists at the event says, “I believe this is the beginning of a whole new community. It is great that we have now a platform as artists to make contacts and collaborate with each other for the sake of art. Mthabisi and Charles are geniuses.” Words: Ofentse Maphari

Photo: Ofenste Mphari : Nontoh is front of garage vandalised with graffiti

Feat u re s

GRAFFITI is not Vandalism V

andalism. That is the first word that comes to mind when people think about graffiti. Graffiti can be spotted all over Grahamstown, when you are not looking for it of course. I went on an excursion to look for this so called vandalism or as others would prefer to call It works of art all around town. It is harder to find it when you are looking for it and when the municipality is not painting over it.

in other times it is not. You have to ask for permission from the owner of the wall you want to paint or you apply to the council by getting permission from various stakeholders. The artists then makes a proposal with regards to why and what he/she wants to paint. Nel continues to say it is illegal if the artists do not go through these processes and just paint a wall without the owner’s knowledge.

But what is Graffiti? Graffiti as described by Daniel Nel, a Fine Arts third year student as “a part of hip hop culture, and a radical, multifaceted art form which does not conform to sanctioned art viewing spaces. This is especially prevalent when one looks at the location of most places where graffiti is found. Nel says that artists that paint these pieces of art tag the work they have done with a nickname which is why one would find a signature on the wall or spot the same signature all over town. Graffiti is mainly used to challenge certain social conventions or to bring about controversial political messages without having your own name tied to it. Since it started in 1999 is has grown into one of the most as Nel describes it as, “exciting and innovative ways of branding.” There are various issues that are involved in graffiti, the graffiti artists, law enforcement and so forth. Nel clarifies that sometimes graffiti can be illegal but

Grahamstown has a lot of illegal graffiti with the owners of the walls attempting to fix it by painting over it. However there are also spaces in which graffiti is painted legally and the walls look absolutely amazing rather than the plain dull white wall. Nel works with children in Grahamstown in the attempt to get them into something interesting and fun and out of the streets. He believes that graffiti can be used to educate them and help them hone certain skills. It is also a good way to build teamwork skills and a great way to voice something effectively. Graffiti is not always used to address issues sometimes it is used to attract attention to a stall. A woman in town who owns a stall has graffiti on the front: “It is so that people can see it from far as you can see the colour is bright and it attracts attention,” says Nontoh, one of the students passing by the stall when asked

what she thinks about it. “Graffiti is beautiful man! Why would anyone want to make people stop? I’ll never understand that.” She continues as she observes the wall covered in graffiti on African Street. Comfort Phiri who also went on the excursion with me was very excited and expressed great interfere in the art. “I have always seen it but I always thought it was illegal and that there was no way for me to actually learn and do it myself. Also there has been a lot of painting over the graffiti lately so I figured I was right.” Since learning that it is not illegal she believes this could be one of the best ways to keep sane in such a small town, she points out. “There isn’t really much people can do in this town and many don’t know that graffiti is not always illegal. I would have started a long time ago if I knew.” She says as she excitedly makes her way in front of the camera to have her picture taken. Graffiti can offer a sense of freedom and can also be a very therapeutic way of relaxing. It can also be regarded as a form of expression as artists continue to challenge political and social conventions in society. Graffiti is not completely vandalism after all and that is great news for all artists out there and permission to flourish. Words: Ofentse Maphari

Fe atu re s

Photos: Sourced

CROWNing GLory I

n the realm of self-expression and body art, some methods are more recognised than others. Tattoos and piercings are the standard when it comes to using the human body as an artistic canvas, and clothes are the standard mode of expression. However, hair and is fast becoming a new and exciting way of channelling creativity and identity. From dyes, to extensions and intricate cuts, hair is one of the most versatile, and often underrated, art statement. Across the world, and in the tiny dot that is Grahamstown, more and more people are reclaiming and owning their manes as part of their personality. Different people do different things for different reasons. Herein lies the beauty of it all: when it comes to hair, there is no wrong answer. Mitchell Parker was an average Rhodes student. Instantly recognisable by his plume of brown curls, Parker decided to try something radical in his life and change the one thing he was known for. “I started dyeing my hair last year. I just dyed it on a whim and kept going from there.” For the Journalism student, his decision had little to do with the hair itself: it was simply a vehicle for something greater. “There is something powerful about changing your hair colour. It’s a self-actualising action,” he says. When he felt powerless and unable to intervene in his life, changing his appearance helped him regain his power. “Sometimes I have issues with not feeling in control. The ability to regain control like this has been nicely freeing.” Starting off with conservative hues of black and red, Parker embraced the more

outrageous shades on the colour spectrum this year, with his pièce de resistance turning his locks a vivid blue. Friends and colleagues have eagerly followed his hair diaries, drumming up excitement whenever Parker hints that once again, change is in the air.

culinity. Mackenzie is not bothered by this kind of thinking. He refuses for his creativity to be restricted just because of what he believes are old-fashioned ideas of masculinity. “It’s alternative beauty. It’s about being beautiful for you.”

“Hair represents personality. Whenever someone changes their hair, there’s a change in their charisma.” Judging from his purple and red tie-dyed hair, cut into a cropped mullet and peeking out of a baseball cap, Charles Mackenzie is not a wilting flower. Mackenzie believes that there is something special about the town in regards to artistic expression. “I feel like Grahamstown is in a very unique place in that it’s isolated. It’s a great place to create an unconventional industry.” Create one he did, with Mackenzie starting the Rhodes University Hair Dye Association in 2014. Although he is involved in several arts projects (he is also a photographer), the hair dye community has a special place for him. “Fashion is a raw and incommunicable expression. Hair is different (from other fashions) in that it’s a change that’s radical; it changes your appearance completely.”

Usually reserved for women, more and more men are joining the fold of hair creativity. Whether it is the hate-it-or-love-it man bun, colourful hair, or dreadlocks, the realm of hair is no longer just a women’s only club. Neither is it something that should be a Humanities student-only activity. Mackenzie admits that there is some truth behind the stereotype of humanities students and the weird and wonderful ways they express their hair. However, he wishes that everyone could join the party. “I don’t have a demographic. I shouldn’t have to convince you. I want people to empower themselves. Everyone should play around with expression, especially at university.”

Mackenzie himself had to learn to liberate his hair from conformity and add his own personality to it. He initially dyed his hair two years ago, but he swore he would never do it again. Now in 2015, Mackenzie feels comfortable in his skin with his dyed hair. “My personality and identity are immediately known. I’m wearing myself true now,” he says, as he takes off the cap to show his colourful hair in all its glory. Like Parker, Mackenzie has a penchant for the bold and the bright, colours not usually associated with mas-

After a whirlwind of colours and styles, Parker has decided to go back to his roots. He now wears his hair as a buzzcut, and all traces of the blue that crowned his head are gone. Mackenzie will continue dyeing his tresses, although he plans on slowing down with his hair dyeing business. These two Grahamstown residents are part of a small but vibrant hair community, where anything and everything goes. As cultures and opinions interact on campus and in town, new ideas about hair continue to spring up. With hair, there is something for everyone. Words: Makomborero Muzenda

Fe at ure s

Meet the instagrammers of Grahamstown I

n a warm café amateur and professional alike are sitting, chatting and waiting. Photographers from around Grahamstown have gathered to take part in another instameet. Some are armed with cameras with a menagerie of lenses and others just modest phones. Regardless of skill and equipment all are here to have a good time, take some pictures and maybe make a friend.

Photos: Josh Stein : The Igers linig up their shots

The term ‘Instameet’ is not the most common of phrases one hears about town, especially in a place like Grahamstown. An instameet is the assembling of people who are interested in equal parts Instagram and photography. Together participants dawdle around and take photos of whatever takes their fancy along the way; this is referred to as an instawalk. Just take every word associated with walking in a group and add the prefix ‘insta’.

town work with a slightly more modest crowd of twelve on average. Sean believes that in Grahamstown there are not many who know about igersgrahamstown. However, Sean is confident that as word spreads the popularity of igersgrahamstown will grow. Arriving at the scene of the shoot, the cluster of photographers that met at the café are driven to just outside of town and told to wander and see what takes their fancy. This time the spot is by an old railway near some industrial buildings in an area with a flat expanse of bush in one direction and the highway just behind. The cloudy day has finally broken and looking at the scene presented to us , thick with vegetation , I am glad for my boots but regret my jacket as a penetrating heat sets in.

In Grahamstown the orchestrators behind such events are the Instagrammers of Grahamstown (igersgrahamstown for short). Sean Bennetts heads up the group and explains that “igersgrahamstown is just a community of photographers and a way for us to come together and enjoy the hobby that we all have. We have fun together and we get the chance to get creative and get inspired by other people”. He goes on to explain how there is a very strong social aspect to igersgrahamstown. Participants are always keen to ponderously pose in each other’s photos or help out the novices. “People don’t just show up and do their own thing” said Sean.

The group disperses, trudging through a combination of thick grass and crunchy plant debris as the instagrammers seek out their shots. Rory Boon clambers up the small yet deceptively steep incline to the railway to get shots of the timeworn and rusted rail tracks. He’s a photojournalism student and he tags along hoping to practice his craft and maybe make some friends along the way. Back at the bottom, and you can see people trying to traverse the vegetation with long strategic strides. “The trip is a great learning experience for everyone and it’s nice to get out of my comfort zone. I usually only take photographs indoors so getting out into nature is fun” recounts Tamani Chithameo after lining up a shot of her friends on the railway.

In a world with a plethora of social media platforms that allow almost anyone with an internet connection to share their thoughts and creativity with the world what makes Instagram the ideal stage to present one’s photography is its openness. The way in which one can just follow whoever they like makes it a greater space for sharing and exploring. Now days, it seems Instagram is maturing beyond just selfies and shots of what you had for breakfast

Sasha Kabwato, a novice photographer, was unsure of what exactly to expect but the groups Instagram profile enticed her to come along. Taking a break from trying to make sense of what the buttons on her camera do she explains “When I first got here I was a bit worried since I’m new but it’s been fun. I like finding the art in photography”.

Around the world the popularity of instameets has grown and now here in South Africa in cities like Johannesburg and Cape Town instameets are finding local popularity. Whilst some of the larger instameets in big cities can draw as many as three or four hundred people the igersgrahamsWords: Josh Stein

Later that afternoon the Instagram page of igersgrahamstown begins to fill up with a stream of photos from earlier. All with the “#igersgrahamstown” somewhere below the picture and filters that would knock the man bun off a hipster. With every like the Instagrammers of Grahamstown grow a little bit more.

P ro fi le

Home grown comics he remarks, perusing a selection of his drawings, ranging from detailed scenes to obscure lines that have not yet decided what they want to be. In a jovial yet deliberate voice, Bill Masuku detailsHome grown comics his vision of home grown South African comic books. Himself a comic book author, Masuku sees the frames of a comic book as his way of reaching out to people and giving them something to think about.

Bill adds in some detail to one of his latest panels.. Photo credit: Joshua Stein

A student at Rhodes University, Masuku is a creative and inventive person who keeps the world in mind when coming up with his comics. He wishes for his work to be more than just entertainment, but also a means of bringing serious matters to a wider audience. His personality, and his comic characters are peppered with messages : tribalism, classism, political ethics and many other areas Masuku feels he tackles better with a pen than with a megaphone. Through his work he likes to put a lot of emphasis on very South African problems, and really push the South African grounding of his work. Masuku’s current series, Captain South Africa, is being published online and is in its third edition with a spin off on the horizon. Whilst he mainly operates in the superhero genre, Masuku is eager to explore new territory and dabbles with space settings. Bill’s house mate Sisesakhe Ntalabezo has seen his work first hand and says that “his comics books are interesting. He’s constantly trying to be relatable whilst also being new and innovative”. However, there is one topic in particular which has always been in the back of Masuku’s mind, and is now coming to the forefront of his work. The portrayal of women in comic books has been a source of perpetual frustration for the comic book author, and he hopes that his work can “break the mould and stereotypes put out there by mainstream comics into many pieces as possible”. This desire came from reading Marvel and DC comics, who proclaim that their current comics do indeed feature strong women. However, Masuku points out the only strong women are just “literally strong, as in they can lift a car”. With exasperated gestures, he goes on about how the female characters he often sees do not really have any form

Exacerbated from his ranting criticisms of female portrayal in comic books Bill leans back to a more comfortable orientation, chuckling at the recorder in face. He takes a break from my questions and lets his witty side take the focus for a brief time before inducing nostalgia and heading back to those days of Dragon Ball Z where it all began. His early love for the adventures of Goku encouraged him to create his own parody of the show featuring himself and his friends. This is where he first realized he could draw. In school, Masuku had a knack for English and crafting stories in school and realised that if he could write and could draw there was only one thing for him, comic books. Years later and Bill Masuku has developed that skill into his art form, but it has not been easy. He produces his comics entirely by himself, and has spent many hours grinding over piece of paper bringing his stories to life.

Bill Masuku

“A picture says a thousand words, so how much can a comic say?”

of depth, and whilst there is a plethora of different representations “when it comes to the modern woman there is just a void”. According to Masuku, women are just not human enough (besides the super heroines who literally are not human). They are too perfect and do not have enough development to show them as real people “like SheHulk, the female version of Hulk, who is just perfect and that makes no sense”. Masuku’s fervour on the topic was ignited when he first encountered a strong feminist culture at Rhodes University.

It usually starts off with a vague idea and plot points of where he can go. The story then takes form as he comes up with the details and the characters finally breaking up the entire narrative as to fit into comic sized issues. Then, the hard work begins. He draws each panel by hand, first in pencil and then in ink, so he can scan and digitally colour the page. The cogs never really stop, as Masuku is “always coming up with new characters” and “weaving them into intricate stories” according to his girlfriend , Gorata Chengeta , who even went so far as to say that sometimes she cannot tell if he is talking about a person or a character, because of how passionate he is about his creations. His comics are certainly not just a hobby, and looking towards the future, Bill Masuku aspires to create his own online company that sells comics written and drawn by local comic book writers. In this he hopes that he will bring comics greater local popularity and spread awareness, whilst readers enjoy the fantastical adventures of Captain South Africa.

Words: Joshua Stein

P ro f i le

T he a rtist w it h a pie r c i n g ton g u e B

ody modification artist and resident chef at I37 On High, John Wayne Stevens, ushers me into his room upstairs from the restaurant for a full view of his artistic canvas – his body. I immediately recognise the strong smell of this Victorian style space from his shoes that clearly thirst for water, soap and a brush. Stevens is quick to boast about the 200 year-old wooden floorboards; they creak and screech so loudly that I imagine that this is the sound his flesh produces each time he cuts through it. He is the grandson to a late forward-thinking pastor. The son to a woman whose presence he only got to bask in during the first eight years of his life before her demise. Stevens is also a self-proclaimed geek, undisputed high school chess champion and a rapper-turned-poet with a “pornographic memory”. On the first day of our interview, in-between gulps of his filtered coffee and Whatsapp texts to his friend of 18 years Francois Sebastian van Eck who later joins us and describes Stevens as a helpless romantic, he tells the story of when his love for body medication started. “My inspiration for getting a tattoo first came from my grandparents, whom I lived with after my mother’s death, threatening to kick me out of their house if I ever got a tattoo or piercing,” he says. So, he got a tongue piercing and arm tattoo. When he was 14 years old, he packed his bags and left his grandparents’ house out of his own free will. The words and images engraved so boldly on his skin express his rebellious nature. “I totally and utterly and brutally love speaking my mind and I don’t mind it,” he says whilst banging his fists on the flimsy restaurant table with each syllable he utters. Stevens admits that most of his tattoos offend people – particularly the image of the devil squeezing the life out of a naked Jesus figure, is tattooed by his left rib – and he enjoys it. After all, according to him, tattoos also serve as a form of comic relief. But be warned, he does not take kindly to people touching and complimenting his tattoos and piercings the same way that he says it is abnormal for one to do the same to a girl with breast implants. Stevens looks like he has just stepped out of a Green Day tour bus or a metal rock performance with his band. However, his favourite artist is rapper Tupac Shakur. He explains that, as a lyrical poet himself, he shares a deep connection with Tupac’s music because he tackled the very social injustices that he is also opposed to. Having grown up as what he calls a “white trash bastard” in a trailer park under abject poverty, Tupac’s music and advocacy for change motivated him to put himself through school and refuse to let the system dictate his fate.

Photo Credit: Phiwo Dlamini John steps outside to take a quick break, have a smoke and relax

As a result, Stevens studied culinary arts at Kevin Warwick Culinary School in Cape Town and has lived and worked abroad, an experience that he is grateful for. He shares his passion for food as an artform, whilst twiddling his thumbs against his fingertips. “With both food and body art, I get to alter the ‘what was’ into ‘what it should be’ by stepping out of the ordinary.” For him, food and body modification demand the same skill which is “to cut flesh”. He pauses. Then he clicks all three of his tongue rings against his teeth to achieve the same effect as a drum beat after a punch line. After a brief chuckle, his eyelids instantly sag over his eyes as though to say ‘okay, jokes aside now’. In a more hushed tone, he admits that every time he is required to indicate his race on a form, he ticks other because having tattoos has made him less of a white person and just an ordinary man with different and varying skin colours. “Judging a person’s personality based on their tattoos is like discriminating against them due to the colour of their skin because this is who I am, the only difference is that I chose to look this way.” Stevens continues his artistic journey through his ink and his work as a chef. His offbeat and no-nonsense attitude is part of his art, and for the tattooed chef, his art is his life. Words: Phiwokuhle Dlamini

J O H N

WAY N E

O p i n i on

We can all be hippies L

et us begin by all accepting this fundamental truth: Rhodes University is an institution of hippies. By the time first semester is over, you would have walked around campus barefoot at least once. The ‘hippies’ at Rhodes are easy to spot on campus. From their billowing patterned pants to the obligatory bracelets and chokers, they stand out amongst a sea of T-shirts and skinny jeans. They are the thinkers, the dreamers, the artistic revolutionaries that make our campus a little brighter. However, underneath the bright and cheerful exterior lies a belief that many hold dear. To them, the hippies and alternative art are reserved to the realm of the Humanities Faculty. The Drama and Journalism buildings are where the hippies should stay and belong. Not to mention the kingdom of all things hippie: the Fine Arts Department.

Photo: Alex King

A large percentage of people who embrace alternative art and lifestyles are members of the Humanities Faculty. Be it staff or students, they are the ones more likely to exhibit hippie ‘tendencies’ of colourful hair, alternative lifestyles, and loose clothin. After all, they are scholars dedicated to processing and documenting the human experience. The sad thing is, this does not have to be the case. We are part of one of the most liberal institutions in South Africa, in one of the most creative and cultural hubs of the country. It is a tragedy that this rich artistic and innovative thinking has been subconsciously relegated to the Arts subjects. This stereotype has its origins in another, more far-reaching perception of Humanities students and subjects. Whilst it is unfortunate, I see glimmers of hope whenever I walk around campus. Noticing the Pharmacy student with neon green nail polish. Bumping into the business Honours candidate with a pair of groovy flip flops, not to mention the Bachelor of Laws Student sporting a hair wrap. Yes, times are a changing, albeit slowly. University is a time to both let loose and explore, and also to get a degree. The kind of artistic expression and creation that hippies love and embrace is not exclusive to one academic sphere. Anyone can be offbeat and anyone can be a hippie. Being a hippie is not just about long hair and flower crowns. It is a philosophy and lifestyle that encourages people to think beyond the norms and embrace their personalities. As one of my so-called hippie friends always says, “Earth without art is just eh.” We are all earthly residents, regardless of degree programme or faculty. So, let us all let our hair down and colour the Earth with our art. Words: Mako Muzenda

Me e t t he te am

Mako EDITOR

“You’re the artist of your own self-expression. Off beat is about appreciating both art and artist.”

Phiwo

ASSISTANT EDITOR “Unexpecting the expected and redefining art with a touch of diversity and enigma.”

Josh

HEAD PHOTOGRAPHER ““If it’s weird, we like it.”

Ofentse

ASSISTANT DESIGNER “Off beat for me is a wonderful explosion of creativity and sass.”

Alex

HEAD DESIGNER “Off beat is” “