Neo Ntsoma - Amsterdam Rainbow Dress, 2018

Neo Ntsoma (1972–)
Amsterdam Rainbow Dress (2018)
Photographic print / 297 x 420 mm
CCAC# 0572-0574

Donated by the Dutch Embassy on 17 May 2020, commemorating IDAHOT (International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia)

This series of photographs resulted from a joint project between the Constitutional Court Trust, custodian of the CCAC, and the ​Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in South Africa, to present and photograph the Amsterdam Rainbow Dress in front of the Constitutional Court in December 2018. The dress is made from the flags of all countries in the world where homosexuality is illegal, which is changed to a rainbow flag when such legislation is changed. It aims to create awareness of the persecution of LGBTIQ+ people, and is a powerful example of how art can be used to champion the cause of justice and humanity. South Africa's Constitution guarantees dignity and equality and outlaws persecution based onsexual and gender identities. South Africa was the first African country to legalise same-sex marriage in 2006. The dress was modeled by transgender activist and model Yaya Mavundla.