Indiana Voice Journal
Issue #19
February 15, 2016
 |
| "Deforestation" by Shameeg van Schalkwyk |
Welcome to this Special Ekphrastic Edition of Indiana Voice Journal. This issue was inspired by an introduction to self-taught visual artist Shameeg van Schalkwyk through a mutual friend and poet, Don Beukes.
Shameeg is an impressive young artist living in an oppressed, gang-riddled area on the Cape Flats in South Africa. His dream is to study art, and to learn techniques and terminology from a professional mentor or attend art school. In Shameeg's own words, "I want to make people smile when they look at my work, and I want to teach other young people who are interested in art."
I invited a teacher from the area, Jacquelyn Kruger, to share what it's like educating children on the Cape Flats. She generously responded with a personal essay about the challenges and the rewards of teaching, while providing insight into daily life on the Capes.
The poets appearing in this issue were each sent a variety of Shameeg's paintings, given a very short deadline, and an invitation to respond. I'd like to thank each one of them for rising to the challenge and responding in such a powerful way. Those invited include: David Allen, Elizabeth Brooks, Don Beukes, Scott Thomas Outlar, and Bruce Owens.
My heartfelt thanks go out to everyone participating, reading, and sharing in this issue.
~Janine Pickett, Editor
Introducing Visual Artist Shameeg van Schalkwyk
An Essay by Jacqueline Kruger: "Teaching on the Cape Flats"
Poet David Allen Responds to "Deforestation"
Poet Elizabeth Brooks Responds to "Image Defined"
Poet Don Beukes Responds to "Entangled"
Poet Scott Thomas Outlar Responds To "Crown of Water" and "Talking to the Moon"
Poet Bruce Owens Responds To: "Talking To The Moon"
Poet Janine Pickett Responds To: "Distress"
