Book 62    1984/1994 Liebenberg-Barkhuizen, E and Penn, C.  (2009) (Fig. 61). 1984/1994.    Unique collaborative artist’s book. Mixed media on sugar paper including drawing, painting, text and  sewing.   30cm x 21cm. Collection: Estelle Liebenberg-Barkhuizen.

I received the following email from Dr Liebenberg-Barkhuizen (2009) regarding this collaborative book: 'this book was made in response to your interest in the book by George Orwell '1984'. Working at the Alan Paton Centre & Struggle Archives means that 1994 and the apartheid-era is constantly the issue. I thought it would be interesting to superimpose the two narratives as there are some points of similarity - the security branch constantly on the watch; conscientious objectors being imprisoned; detention without trial etc. 1994 brought an end to this and together, the two narratives seem to form an interesting continuum. So, the collaborative begins with 1984 and ends with 1994.'

When Liebenberg-Barkhuizen gave me the pages for this book, I handed her the pages for the other collaborative book 1484/1984 (Book 25).  I was still in the head space of 1984, and responded to her pages as the character Winston from the novel.  I wrote in the first person, in his ‘childish handwriting’, words from Winston’s diary. For example, “down with big brother” which Winston unconsciously wrote for a full page.

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