Sun screens

Created during the construction of the Constitutional Court and the development of the Constitution Hill precinct, Patrick Rorke’s Sunscreens is a monumental public artwork that captures the voices and experiences of ordinary South Africans living near the Court, particularly in Hillbrow. Rorke conducted interviews, mostly in Sesotho, asking participants about their childhoods, their aspirations, and their perceptions of the new Constitution. These conversations were translated into sketches, which were later engraved onto the panels, creating a visual oral history that functions like comic strips while remaining open to interpretation. While some participants were identified in the artist’s notes, most contributed anonymously, making the work a collective reflection of the surrounding community’s relationship with the Court.

The Sunscreens panels, designed by Levin, were chemically treated to produce varying colourations and weighted strategically to remain visible from different angles. Each panel measures 300 mm x 450 mm, and the installation comprises 708 panels, including 181 artwork panels, supported by 32 holding frames and documenting 37 stories of everyday life. The triangular perforations reference African geometric patterns, whilst the panels’ mobility encourages interaction. Installed along the Great African Steps, the Sunscreens protect the artworks in the public gallery from harsh sunlight while embodying the idea of a “people’s court” and highlighting the diverse individuals who sustain a democracy.

The Sunscreens exemplifies Rorke’s engagement with social and political contexts through a participatory, community-focused approach, translating human experience into visual form while combining aesthetic, functional, and interactive qualities.