Stance Culture, 2026
E/W clay, matt black, peony & apollo star glaze
41 cm x 20 cm x 20 cm
Artist’s Statement
Stance Culture explores stance car culture in Gqeberha as a site of self-expression, identity formation, and community belonging. Drawing from lived experience, I use clay to reinterpret this subculture and its significance within Coloured communities.
The sculpture references components of a vehicle’s air suspension system: the base represents the airbag, the wheel symbolises the affirmation and visibility of my Coloured identity, and the piston rods suggest the ongoing negotiation and tension of identity within shifting social environments. Together, these elements position stance culture as a framework through which identity is expressed and sustained.
Beyond vehicle customisation, the culture fosters creativity, social connection, and belonging, offering many participants a constructive platform for self-expression and community engagement. In doing so, it offers an alternative narrative to stereotypes often associated with gangsterism, substance abuse, and other social challenges. Through ceramics, this work highlights how cultural practices can shape positive forms of identity and acceptance.
