Acoustic banners

The muted woven acoustic banners and carpet introduce a subtle interplay of light and shadow, evoking shifting patterns of sunlight filtered through a tree canopy. As their name suggests, the banners perform both an aesthetic and functional role, operating as acoustic regulators within the Court Chamber by reducing reverberation and enhancing the clarity of speech during proceedings.

Overseen by artist Andrew Verster, the project was developed as a collaborative, community-based undertaking involving skilled weavers and makers from The Weaver’s Hut. Their contributions were central to the production of the work, bringing embodied textile knowledge and collective labour into close dialogue with the artist’s design intent. The work is therefore grounded in shared authorship, where making and design are closely interwoven.

The banners are large vertical fabric forms suspended from the ceiling at varying angles, introducing rhythm and movement into the chamber while gently disrupting the strict linearity of the architecture. Their organic, shadow-derived patterns reference the tradition of “justice under a tree,” situating the Court within a broader conceptual framework of accessibility, transparency, and grounded deliberation. Repetition across the space establishes a measured visual cadence, while variations in height and orientation introduce spatial depth and a softened interior atmosphere.

The palette is deliberately restrained, composed of cool greys, soft blues, and off-whites that echo the tonal variations of natural light and shadow. Set against neutral architectural surfaces, the banners remain visually present without dominating the space, reinforcing a sense of calm and clarity. This chromatic restraint, together with the acoustic function of the materials, contributes to an environment designed to support focus, composure, and the careful articulation of justice within the Court Chamber.

Weavers / The Weaver’s Hut: Princess Dlamini, Flora Dlomo, Hilda Dludlu, Thuleleni Makhanya, Patricia Makhanye, Nomthandazo Mbambo, Tholani Mbambo, Buyiswa Mbatha, Gladys Mdlalose, Nomathemba Memela, Thenjiwe Memele, Maureen Mthanane, Gladys Ngubo, Kwenzikela Phoswa, Emmelia Radebe, Sizakela Shalamba, Florence Sokhela, Patience Zondo, Agnes Zuma.