The Accelerated Life Of Leon Botha
I love music collective Die Antwoord, the indisputable kings of the interweb and spirit guides to the land of Zef. The triumvirate of Ninja, Yolandi and Leon Botha (DJ Solarize) make a noise that stiffens my spine and lacerates my frontal lobes. While, artist and shaman, Botha, rarely performs with the group, his powerful presence in Die Antwoords’ Enter The Ninja video has left an indelible impression on all who have seen it.
Leon is one of the oldest survivors of progeria, a rare genetic condition that causes a person to prematurely age. People with progeria rarely live beyond the age of 13. Leon is 25. In his short, but accelerated life, he has created an impressive body of work, as a painter, photographer, musician and writer. Enter the world of Leon Botha.
From the moment of birth, I’ve been learning lessons through burning testings, of the Head, Heart & Guts. Body, Soul & Spirit. Salt, Sulphur & Mercury, in the stages of alchemy. I have been sent on a long path to take a short journey & share glimpses of my experiences & visions as a artist/channel.
Art is like liquid, it comes in infinite forms & flows. As artist I strive to be like water, ever changing & always flowing: If I can’t be defined then I cannot be confined. The pen IS the sword!
Artist Leon Botha and photographer Gordon Clark embark on a collaborative and artistic adventure, exploring the questions of destiny and immortality to bring us this powerful photo series Who Am I? Transgressions.