When History Speaks: Unearthing the Echoes of Rustenburg’s Jewish Heritage.
WHEN THE DUST SETTLES. A solo exhibition by Johannesburg artist Joe Turpin. Currently on show at the Botanical Gardens Gallery. Do pop in for your dose of Art this August!!!
In the bustling rhythm of modern life, the past often lies forgotten, covered in layers of time and progress. Yet, once in a blue moon, an unexpected discovery transports us back in time, compelling us to delve deep into the annals of history and hear the silent whispers of yesteryears. Such was the revelation in Rustenburg, where a seemingly nondescript stone held secrets of a century-old Jewish community.
February 2022 witnessed the final chapters in the life of the Rustenburg Hebrew Congregation Synagogue. With no active worship in two decades, the walls of this sacred place were set to narrate their last prayer. But as its foundation stone was pried open, it divulged a hidden treasure – a time capsule dating back to 1924.
This petite relic was a poignant gesture by Yiddish-speaking Lithuanian Jews. Hailing from Zhager, present-day Lithuania, they had sought refuge in South Africa to escape the anti-Semitic turbulence of Eastern Europe. Within this time capsule was an archive of their existence, their hopes, and their fears. They did not know the destiny of their community or their temple, but this was their testimony for the generations to come.
The synagogue's foundations trace back to Philip Wulfsohn and his brothers. They were the beacons of hope for many who had fled from the horrors of their homeland. Fast forward to today, artist Joe Turpin, a descendant of this legacy, brings these tales to life through his craft. For him, Rustenburg evokes memories not of homes or temples, but of the Jewish Cemetery, the eternal resting place of forebears like his grandfather.
Turpin’s voyage of rediscovery extends beyond personal narratives. His exploration touches the deeper realms of identity, memory, and a collective mourning for a fading community. A sense of loss pervades, heightened by the temple's sale, representing the culmination of years marked by community abandonment, urban migration, and a changing socio-political landscape.
Positioning his work in the milieu of colonialism, post-colonialism, antisemitism, and modern African viewpoints, Turpin creates a tapestry of multifaceted narratives. These stories, while rooted in memory and culture, are also stained by violence, politics, and societal upheavals. The intensive research underpinning this work has spanned global institutions, from Johannesburg’s Bag Factory Artist Studios to the hallowed corridors of New York’s Pratt Institute and Centre for Jewish History.
Gratitude is extended to Rabbi Moshe Silberhaft, the guardian of the bottle and its sacred contents. His invaluable contributions, especially his site visits, have been instrumental in weaving this historical tapestry.
However, Turpin’s intent surpasses mere artistic expression. In a world witnessing a disturbing resurgence of anti-Semitism, showcasing such potent narratives in Potchefstroom aims to sound the alarm on the perils of prejudice. For a dwindling diaspora in South Africa, this endeavor becomes even more significant.
"When the Dust Settles" is more than just a title for Turpin. It encapsulates a history of a community now reduced to mere echoes, with only remnants as their testament.
Joe Turpin, born in 1995 in Johannesburg, stands out as a beacon in the world of visual arts. With a unique approach that marries archival research with artistic finesse, he turns canvases into chronicles. With accolades from the University of the Witwatersrand and the Pratt Institute, Turpin continues to craft tales that resonate with the harmonies of history and identity.
