2010 AFRICAN FINE ART COLLECTION

(Pic: "Keeping the soccer image" by Anthony Wakaba Mutheki)

Kizo Art Gallery hosting official KZN launch of the 2010 African Fine Art Collection.

The Kizo Art Gallery, in Gateway Umhlanga, hosted the official KZN launch of the 2010 African Fine Art Collection on July 3, featuring the first artworks to have been approved for inclusion in the 2010 African Fine Art Collection.

The exhibition at Kizo includes Keith Calder’s series of 11 exceptional bronzes entitled Footballers; Clint Strydom’s series of powerful black and white photographs which successfully capture and document the passion for soccer that exists in rural South African communities entitled The Real Heroes and Gavin Rain has produced some amazing works of neo-pointillism with images hidden within other images. Besides works by Anthony Wakaba Mutheki, there are Welcome Danca’s rich portraits of soccer in the streets; Bheki Khambule’s paintings of the host stadiums and works by Kenyan artist Taju will be showcased.

All of these works have been inspired by South Africa’s hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ and they have all been recognised as Official Licensed Products of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.

“In its 80 year history, the FIFA World Cup™ has evolved into so much more than simply the most-watched sporting event on earth,” said Robert Spaull, 2010 Fine Art Communications Manager. “It has become a global symbol of excellence, bridging divides and uniting people around the world in a shared passion for the event. In 2010 it becomes even greater – with the first African FIFA World Cup™. To celebrate the world returning to Africa, we are launching 2010 Fine Art – one of the largest and most ambitious international art collaborations in history.”

2010 Fine Art is a South African company that has acquired from the Global Brands Group, FIFA’s Master Licensee, a global license to produce and distribute fine art related to the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. “Fine art on this scale has never before been licensed for a FIFA World Cup™”, said Craig Mark, Managing Director of 2010 Fine Art. “As South Africans we are extremely proud that 2010, our FIFA World Cup™, will break this new ground. 2010 Fine Art will uplift, inspire and unite, creating new platforms to bring the world to Africa and take Africa to the world through art.”

2010 African Fine Art Collection runs at the Kizo Art Gallery at Gateway until August 2. The collection will be extended to include more artists and aggressively promoted both locally and internationally in the run up to and during the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. For more information contact curator Nathi Gumede on 031 566 4322 or nathig@kizo.co.za or visit www.kizo.co.za