In what can only be described as a ‘Never give up’ story, 76-year-old doctoral graduate Dr Denise Ingrid Adams is the oldest graduate at this year’s UKZN autumn graduation.
Her PhD used creative practice-led research to explore the changing condition and ecological importance of the uMngeni Beachwood Mangrove Nature Reserve. The work was supervised by Dr Kathy Patrick and Dr Louise Gillian Hall.
Dr Adams’ creativity and living near the estuary for decades mean that the work draws on lived experience and translates environmental observation into visual forms that can deepen understanding of one of Durban’s most important ecosystems even if one does not live near a nature reserve.
After more than 36 years living near the estuary, Adams developed a close relationship with the mangroves that would eventually shape the direction of her doctoral research.
“These mangroves are situated close to where I have lived for 36 years,” she said. “Earlier, there was scant pollution and no threat of a housing complex in the floodplain. Today, these have become harsh realities.”
Her research combined environmental observation with artistic experimentation, resulting in a series of three-dimensional cloak forms, which allowed her to uncover perspectives that may not have emerged through conventional academic methods alone.
“My experiences in the estuary, together with creative experiments and sourced literature, provided unexpected insights of the current realities,” Adams explained. “I translated these into artworks culminating in a series of three-dimensional cloaks. I would not have discovered these insights had I relied on literature alone.”
Adams documented the resilience of mangrove ecosystems and observed their capacity to store carbon, stabilise shorelines through complex root systems, and regenerate through buoyant seed pods that enable natural expansion. She identified the ecological contribution of plants often dismissed as weeds.
“The discovery of weeds and their value in the ecosystem as pollinators, enriching the soil and as pioneers in damaged land was particularly important,” she said.
Her study highlights the broader environmental significance of the Beachwood mangrove system for Durban and surrounding communities.
The estuary supports diverse forms of life, including insects, birds, reptiles, crustaceans and fish nurseries, while also serving as an important educational resource.
“This valuable ecosystem supports varied life forms,” Adams said. “The loss of associated life in this estuary would be a loss for the greater area of Durban, including the educational opportunities that the estuary provides for scholars, students and citizens.”
But to drive the message home, Dr Adams had to find a way to translate environmental realities into artworks, and previous attempts in two-dimensional painting did not achieve the intended effect.
“After a year of unsuccessful two-dimensional hanging paintings, I realised that I needed to reshape my creative practice in conjunction with environmental research,” she reflected. “Experiences in the estuary, meditating, sketching, collecting discards, photographing, printing, taking notes and comparing my findings with literature ultimately offered the means of overcoming the challenges.”
Adams credits the support of the Humanities College and colleagues at the Centre for Visual Arts (CVA) at UKZN with helping her refine both her research approach and artistic process.
“The Zoom sessions held by the Humanities College assisted me in developing research methods,” she said. “Weekly crit sessions with post-grad students and lecturers at the CVA were inspiring and constructive.”
Her work is already contributing to environmental education and awareness. Her research workbooks are currently being used when school groups visit the Durban Botanic Gardens and the Beachwood Mangrove Nature Reserve, while Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife has indicated interest in displaying some of her artworks.
IOL
