They Don't Make Then Like They Used To, Mary Sibande

Question 1

Sophie

Answer 1

Maid character Sophie developed from Sibandes personal history as her foremothers were maids. She’s the 1st to to study & wanted to celebrate this.

Explores & ridicules the structures that victimized domestic workers. Liberating them.

Question 2

Style

Answer 2

Naturalistic

Question 3

Subject matter

Answer 3

Sophie is knitting a superhero outfit while she closes her eyes as though escaping into a dream world where everything is possible even becoming a superhero. If her eyes were open she’d be back at at work cleaning.

Question 4

Background & environment

Answer 4

Neutral place blue denoting a photographic studio setting
Ideal environment where she can remold her identity with aid of lighting, costume, make up

Question 5

Uniform

Answer 5

Blue dress, recognizable as typical maid uniform with white collar & cuffs
Dressed changes into elaborate Victorian dress with huge crinoline skirt
Refers to not just maid uniforms but also overalls worn by laborers & Sunday uniforms of zionist church members

Question 6

Fantasy

Answer 6

Contrasts reality of her dreams. Her dress shows this fantasy. Shows protest of Sophie against a life of servitude.

Question 7

Madam & maid relationship

Answer 7

Dress refers to madams life of leisure which Sophie appropriates for herself
Also opportunities for all south Africans

Question 8

Message

Answer 8

Depiction of domestic worker to rise above reality where domestic worker is able to liberate herself. Implies we call all be free of the past

Question 9

Style

Answer 9

Naturalistic

Question 10

Medium & technique

Answer 10

Photograph