In her new exhibition, Olonvandi Viotenbo – The Keepers of Time, artist Teresa Kutala Firmino explores the knowledge systems that she inherited from the women who came before her. Using a combination of paintings, soft sculptures, video installations, and performance pieces, her work is concerned with the herbal and therapeutic knowledge taught to her by her mother, grandmother, and aunts. "My mother has healing hands," she says; "it's just an inherent ability."

Firmino's work is more than just a historical exploration of inherited knowledge systems. She also emphasises the lived experience of women, especially in relation to the multigenerational trauma brought on by civil war and colonialism, and the intersection between traditional African spiritual practices and Christianity. Her four soft sculptures in particular, collectively called 'the ones that came before' us, are an interpretation of the life experiences of the women in her family. Firmino also aims to explore the demonisation of women for having the knowledge the community needs to remain healthy, both physically and spiritually. "They're needed in society, but they're also seen as witches of sorts."

For this tender tribute to women, identity, knowledge, and family, head to Everard Read Johannesburg on Wed, Aug 7 at 17:30 for the opening of Olonvandi Viotenbo – The Keepers of Time. The exhibition is open until Sat, Sep 21.