Tamara Dubeni is dai boesman barbie doll but also multidisciplinary artist from Cape Town whose work and research are rooted in the lived experiences of the women around her.
We welcome Tam to The FRM Newsletter to share what she’s been into recently!
Personal heritage
I think it’s quite important to note that an upbringing on the cape flats specifically athlone has shaped me better than any survivor series could ever!
I draw from my Cape Malay, Khoi San and Nguni heritage, finding myself exploring African womanhood through my theatrical directing and writings such as my poetry, live performances and visual storytelling through film photography. I base my practice sacredly around my community my mense who inspired me to embody my bold persona, Boesman Barbie doll…
Inspired by women
I am truly inspired by women like my mother oumas en tannies.
Queens like Nardal sisters, Yoko Ono, Malika Ndlovu, Mariam Makeba and Amy Jeptha just a few to mention truly awaken something in me as an artist and woman in the world. I feel like Yoko Ono deserves her flowers as a big influence on John Lennons amazing discography also for her own craft and being the mother of conceptual ar.
Fashion
Vang me existing with face paint piles of necklaces I stole from my mom and bangles clinging and clanking and the three to four layers of clothing I didn’t need wear but wanted to coz it’s makes me feel kwaai.
Food
My Solid dite would be Steak masala geba from Athlone is a definite go to I mean the birthplace of legends like Brenda Fassie, Denise Newman, Jimmy Nevis it’s only right that we produce the best street food in Africa but one wrong turn and u will end up in Manenburg or Gugs.
I can’t live without fisherman spice and Zaatar and slap chips or bread of any kind.
Music
Personally my taste is all over the place I would describe it as a masala of gevaar like music and I just like listening and looking and very specific things you know being the awkward black girl people never expect my taste to be what it is and I’m chai with that sien jy.
My love for blood orange, Shirley Bassey, Aretha Franklin, Ub 40, Yoko Ono, Bjork and Annie Lennox vocals transcends the stereotypes that get pushed onto me.
