Using our hands in the way we know best, we have created this inspiring artwork in thanks-giving for the beauty of our Eastern Cape environment and the strength of our people. We have watched our world very closely and combining our many talents and skills (from felt-making to photography), tried to show accurately the wondrous creatures of our unique environment and the respected members of our Hamburg community

In the tradition of previous works by the Keiskamma Art Project, namely the Keiskamma Altarpiece and the Keiskamma Tapestry, this piece is based on and inspired by an existing world-renowned piece. “The Lam Got” Altarpiece by Jan Van Eyck is one of the largest and most complex altarpieces produced in the Netherlands during the 15th century. The Creation Altarpiece is modeled in structure and theme on this great work. However, every Creation panel and every depiction has been interpreted in a meaningful way, relevant to the Hamburg community and their experiences.

When the famous Van Eyck altarpiece is closed, across the outer panels one sees a depiction of ‘the annunciation’, with biblical prophets filling the top inset. In this same inset of the Creation Altarpiece, the Keiskamma artists have chosen to portray their own Xhosa prophetess, Nonquawuse, and next to her, her cousin Nonkosi. The young Nonquawuse’s prophesy was cause for the devastating cattle killings carried out by the Xhosa people in the belief that this would drive the white oppressors of the time into the sea, returning wealth to the Xhosa nation.

Across the four main panels below the inset, through photographs one sees into the life of a rural Xhosa family in Hamburg. Inside a typical Xhosa hut, the twins Brightness and Sweetness pose as the angel Gabriel with Nonyameko on the right as the Virgin Mary. This scene is an interpretation on the Annunciation and speaks of hope for the next generation in Hamburg; hope that it will be a generation free from AIDS and hope that all parts of society will work together for the betterment of the community.

Still on the outside of the altarpiece, the panel bottom left shows a group of embroiderers and sewers from the Keiskamma Art Project in Hamburg and beaders from the neighbouring village of Ntilini on the bottom right panel. These groups stand on either side of two very wise, elderly members of the community; Mr. Gqwaka, a leader and committed healer (as John the Baptist) and the late Noshumi Rhubhushe, a sangoma (as John the Evangelist).

When the doors of the altarpiece open a glorious scene (focused around a small, glowing, golden cow) is revealed. The cow, most sacred to the Xhosa people, has replaced the symbolic lamb at the centre of the Van Eyck altarpiece, standing to bring restoration to all of creation. Surrounding the cow and extending its branches to cover the central area of the open work is a beautiful fig tree. The tree is a symbol for new life and growth. Its branches are home to the many beautiful birds and creatures, endemic to the local area of Hamburg. The scene is a vision of new hopefulness for the village of Hamburg.

In the open Creation Altarpiece, Shadrak stands as Adam on the left, and Mildred as Eve on the right. They have been sustained by the ocean and the environment all their lives. They have lived in a balanced way with nature, in an environment they know intimately. Between Adam and Eve and across the open panels of the Creation Altarpiece one can see many groups of people from Hamburg and the neighbouring village of Bodiam. They echo Van Eyck’s groups shown moving towards the fountain of living water as many of the groups move towards their own symbol of strength and new hopefulness.

The photographs in the Creation Altarpiece were taken by Vanessa Ruiz, Robert Hofmeyr, Tanya Jordaan and Justus Hofmeyr. Further thanks must go to Gay and Jens Staurup, Florence and Franck Danais, and all the artists from the Keiskamma Art Project, for their part in an extraordinary work.

The Creation Altarpiece was first unveiled at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival. It has been on exhibition in St Francis Anglican Church in Johannesburg at the September Spring Fair, and as part of two fundraiser concerts for the establishment of the Keiskamma Music Academy. It was on exhibition at the Everard Read Gallery in Johannesburg in December 2007.