144 (2019-2020)
Wood glue installation
Dimension varies
144 (2019-2020) explores an incident that has been called "the greatest cause of human rights violation" in democratic South Africa; The Life Healthcare Esidimeni Tragedy. In October 2015, the Gauteng department of health terminated an outsourced care contract with Life Esidimeni in order to save money and give effect to a policy to "deinstitutionalise" psychiatric patients. Some 1 300 patients were transferred to the care of their families and non-governmental organisations. A total of 144 people died, causes ranging from neglect to extreme starvation. Most family members still do not know what exactly happened to their loved ones. In terms of the sculpture, each separate piece of wood glue measures at 2130 mm x 711 mm, based on the standard measurements for a casket. During the day the pieces transform and warp, all eventually falling to the ground entirely