(Pic: Isipethu embroidery by S Mabaso)The Craft of Northern KwaZulu-Natal Exhibition which is currently on view at the Durban Art Gallery, has been a joint venture between the Natal Arts Trust and the Carnegie Art Gallery in Newcastle and includes work from the Carnegie’s permanent collection and also privately owned items. To give visibility and promote the craft sector in the outlying areas of KwaZulu-Natal, the Natal Arts Trust provided funding to the Newcastle, Empangeni and Margate Galleries for them to purchase craft items produced in their respective regions. This particular exhibition reflects the contemporary craft being produced in the Northern region.
The craft on show was sourced from people in Ladysmith, the Northern Drakensberg, Nongoma, Msinga and the north-west part of KwaZulu-Natal, including Newcastle, Vryheid and Dundee. Items were made by independent crafters as well as artists and crafters who are affiliated to Ardmore Ceramic Art, Baskets for Africa, the ELC Arts and Crafts Centre in Rorke’s Drift, and Senzokuhle.
Curator Judy Jordan, however, is concerned that some craft skills may be lost forever if action isn’t taken to encourage crafters to continue making items: “I had to order a lot of work because people often think that it’s not worthwhile making something that no-one will buy,” she said. “We could be facing a vacuum in some crafts. It’s a real tragedy. “If the government could put money into warehousing craft it would encourage crafters to make items which could be sold later on.”
The Craft of Northern KwaZulu-Natal Exhibition will be on show at the Durban Art Gallery until March 28. The DAG will be running a few bead-making workshops during this period so watch the press for dates.
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