Maria

Maria was a member of the Bambanani Women’s Group in Cape Town, where she used Body Mapping to express her experiences of living with HIV/AIDS and motherhood. Her artwork reflects both personal struggle and cultural meaning, including traditional beliefs, spiritual practices and her deep hope for her child’s wellbeing. She documented her pregnancy, treatment with AZT, and her emotional journey as she prayed for her baby’s health and later experienced moments of hope and renewal. Her story also shows her growing strength, as she began to disclose her status, pursue new skills and take on leadership within her community. Maria tragically died in a car accident in 2002 alongside her husband and young son, while her teenage daughter survived.