PEOPLE, PRINTS AND PROCESS

The Standard Bank Gallery in Johannesburg honours 25 Years at Caversham.

The Caversham Press, founded in 1985 by Malcolm Christian in the Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal, has made an important contribution to the development of printmaking in South Africa and has a memorable history. It is this contribution and history, as much as excellence in printmaking, that People, Prints and Process – 25 Years at Caversham celebrates.

Featuring over 100 works by more than 70 artists, the exhibition presents an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of what was the first comprehensive independent artists' press in southern Africa. It tells a remarkable story of faith in creative people and the processes of human interaction and empowerment, generated through collaborative work underpinned by exacting design and printing processes (etching, lithography, screenprint, and linocut).

The Caversham Press found a home near Lidgetton, KwaZulu-Natal, when master printer, Malcolm Christian, bought a former Wesleyan Methodist chapel surrounded by a graveyard. What was to become a famous art centre happened by chance. Christian, who had taught at many tertiary education institutions, was teaching at Wits when, on his way to Durban, he "wandered down a winding dirt road," as he recalls, and came across the derelict old chapel. His vision was to transform the 1878 church into a studio, with the aim of providing South African artists with access to a professional, collaborative set-up for the production of limited edition prints. Of particular importance to Christian was the idea of nurturing emergent artists from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Caversham is located within an idyllic landscape of rural tranquillity and the studio retains the peaceful aura of its original spiritual structure. The gravestones are now incorporated into the garden and many newer buildings contribute to Caversham's community identity and provide accommodation for residencies and visiting artists. There are no distractions to inhibit dedication to the processes of thinking in visual form and producing handmade, limited edition artists' prints.

Christian believes that everybody is creative. "I think the education systems," he says, "have sucked the creativity from us. And I don't mean the ability to draw. Creativity is far more fundamental than that: it's our innate ability to embrace change." What he seeks at Caversham is to unlock that creativity. "Ultimately my meaning rests in you. I have to find effective ways to build significance within you – and one of those ways is to facilitate your pursuit of excellence. I think that's the whole purpose of Caversham."

Robert Hodgins, who passed way this year, was the first artist to spend time at Caversham. Since then a host of artists have benefited from the Christian touch and approach, as well as the peaceful surroundings. These include Sthembiso Sibisi, William Kentridge, Peter Schütz, Wonderboy Nxumalo, Peter Clarke, Bonnie Ntsalintshali, Deborah Bell, Garth Erasmus, Karel Nel, Peter Clarke, Albert Adams, Derick Nxumalo, Magkabo Helen Sebidi, Andries Botha, Malcolm Payne, Zwelethu Mthethwa and Gabisile Nkosi. All of these artists feature on People, Prints and Process – 25 Years at Caversham.

People, Prints and Process – 25 Years at Caversham runs until December 4 at the Standard Bank Gallery, Corner Simmonds and Frederick Street, Johannesburg. More information on 011 631-1889. The gallery is closed on Sundays and public holidays. Admission is free.