Following a visit to the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation Garden, Nicholas Hlobo drafted a proposal for an installation due to be located alongside its lake. “The work draws on ecclesiastical references drawn from the bible: Eve and the curse of maternity (the mother giving birth); the wife of Lot, transformed into a statue of sale, and the Garden of Eden. (…) Water plays a very important role here in conveying a message of creation as it represents the source of life.”

Umnka Lothe finally ended up as a purpose designed piece especially conceived for the Garden. From the original idea through to the final result, there is an entire process of maturing that, when known, aids us in understanding the object and its framework within this landscape. « (…) I took a decision to fuse them so that they give an idea of mating or trying to consume one another. The rubber was meant to be free standing from the metal figure. That was to suggest that idea of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. When looking at that during the process of creating this body of work, it somehow sounded lacking of something. Then, the thought sprang to mind that they should become co-joined in order to suggest notions of intimacy or some sort of wrestling as opposed to having the two forms just standing side by side as if they are waiting for a whistle to be blown. I took them to the stage where they have taken some action and charged into/onto one another. This is to give the story line some motion instead of having them frozen in a rather stationary stance. The title Umnka' Lothe translates as Lott's wife.»