The !Xun & Khwe Art Project

This powerful and visually rich volume chronicles a unique artistic journey by the !Xun and Khwe San communities of South Africa. Originating in a refugee camp in Schmidtsdrift in 1993—following years of displacement due to regional conflict—this project became a transformative outlet for cultural expression and storytelling through contemporary art.

As these communities transitioned from traditional hunter-gatherer lifestyles to modern settlement in Platfontein, art became a vital bridge between past and present. Despite their oral heritage, the !Xun and Khwe artists began capturing ancestral myths, dreams, and daily experiences through striking paintings and linocuts. Their works are marked by vibrant color, symbolism, and emotional depth.

Curated by Hella Rabbethge-Schiller, the collection presents over 270 color illustrations that reveal the vitality and complexity of San life and imagination. The book includes essays by cultural experts and art historians, offering context to the visual narratives and the sociopolitical landscape in which they were created.