How can social identity formation be understood in terms of poetry and painting? Can it be argued that these signifying practices, as systems of meaning, effectively mirror the transformation and mutations of identity in society? Though analysis of specific examples in the work of South African writing and artist Breyten Breytenbach, the essays in this collection investigate the way in which identity is constituted in text and image, and draw on primary debates around identity formation and (self) representation in art and writing. By extension, the essays also point to ways in which these Breytenbach case – studies relate to, or differ from, other contemporary identity formations in South Africa

Publishers: Kwela book and SAHO

Edited: Marilet Sienaert

Soft cover: ISBN 0-7957-0141-1

How can social identity formation be understood in terms of poetry and painting? Can it be argued that these signifying practices, as systems of meaning, effectively mirror the transformation and mutations of identity in society? Though analysis of specific examples in the work of South African writing and artist Breyten Breytenbach, the essays in this collection investigate the way in which identity is constituted in text and image, and draw on primary debates around identity formation and (self) representation in art and writing.