Diane Victor (b. 1964, Witbank)

Shadow Boxer

2015, charcoal and pastel on paper, 151 x 128cm.

Photo by Diane Victor. Courtesy of the artist. ©Diane Victor.

In 2013, Diane Victor came to terms with the fact that she was about to die. She has known for a while that she was suffering from polycystic kidney disease, and now her kidneys were failing. She was placed on a waiting list for a kidney transplant, which could take years to happen. Thankfully, she was able to receive a successful kidney transplant, and, as is evident in the label, continued to produce art!

In this drawing, a woman, who strongly resembles Victor, is seen boxing a shadowy figure. The woman is wearing a light shift, emphasising her vulnerability. Her gaze is unsure but determined, as she faces her opponent. Both her legs and its skeleton is visible, signifying mortality, but also the motion of a boxer as she moves from one spot to another. Her boxing gloves resemble kidneys - it is tinted red, which might suggest the sickness that was affecting her kidneys. Shadow boxing is a type of boxing practice where the boxer punches the air. In this case, Victor had to fight the illness in her body. Her victory gave her a new lease on life, and she was happy to be alive and to be able to continue making art again.