The National Arts Festival, Grahamstown has
expressed its delight at being chosen to curate and stage the South African
exhibition at the 55th La Biennale di Venezia, saying that it would embark on
the project with the best interests of our country’s artists at heart.
Acknowledging this event as the “world’s
premiere showcase for the contemporary visual arts”, Festival CEO Tony
Lankester said that participation in the La Biennale di Venezia was something
that all artists should aspire to.“Venice is arguably the most prestigious and
well-established visual arts showcase in the world, and having their work shown
there is a major opportunity for our artists to get global exposure,” he said.
The choice of the National Arts Festival as
curator was announced by the Department of Arts and Culture today at the end of
a public process in which proposals were sought from parties wishing to lead
the process.
“We submitted a proposal to the Department
and we’re delighted that they have bought into the curatorial vision we
expressed,” Lankester said. “In putting the proposal together we drew on the
expertise of Brenton Maart, who will be the exhibition curator, and his
colleagues from our Festival Artistic Committee – Nomusa Makhubu, Dominic
Thorburn, Brett Bailey and Jay Pather. Together this team will now refine the
idea behind the exhibition, and bring it to life through the work of an array
of local artists.”
The theme and concepts underpinning the
exhibition to be mounted on the South African Pavilion will be unveiled to the
public once this process of refinement is complete.
Lankester, who is currently chair of the
World Fringe Alliance and Treasurer of the African Festival Network, stressed
the importance of global exposure for South Africa’s artists: “A platform like
this is an important part of their growth as makers of art, and it enriches the
perspective they bring to their work. It is also a step toward establishing
their names and reputations in the global arts market and getting due
recognition and reward for their talent.”
Since its inception in 1974, the Festival
has staged thousands of exhibitions – ranging from the work of our country’s
crafters and ‘hobbyist’ artists, through to the giants of South African art.
Its Main programme alone has seen 301 exhibitions since inception while, in a
typical year, the Festival hosts around 60 Fringe exhibitions across the City
of Grahamstown. The Festival has partnered with South Africa’s leading
galleries and with international partners, including SA National Gallery,
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum, Johannesburg Art Gallery, Fort Hare,
Durban Art Museum, Wits University Galleries, Goodman Gallery, Pretoria Art
Museum, Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Stellenbosch University, Caversham Press, the
French Institute of South Africa (IFAS), and the Goethe-Institut.
Some of the artists featured in Grahamstown
over the years: William Kentridge, Cecil Skotnes, David Goldblatt, Robert
Hodgins, Pierneef, John Muafangelo, Edoardo Villa, Maggie Laubsher, Azaria
Mbatha, Neville Dubow, Penny Siopis, Irma Stern, Gerard Sekoto, Karel Nel,
Philippa Hobbs, Walter Battiss, Willie Bester, Sue Williamson, Durant Sihlali,
Ken Oosterbroek, Mashego Johannes Segogela, Deborah Bell, George Pemba and Paul
Emmanuel.
Standard Bank Young Artist Award winners
for Visual Arts: Mary Sibande (2013), Mikhael Subotzky (2012), Nandipha Mntambo
(2011), Michael MacGarry (2010), Nicholas Hlobo (2009), Nontsikelelo Veleko
(2008), Pieter Hugo (2007), Churchill Madikida (2006), Wim Botha (2005),
Kathryn Smith (2004), Berni Searle (2003), Brett Murray (2002), Walter Oltmann
(2001), Alan Alborough (2000), Nhlanhla Xaba (1998), Lien Botha (1997), Trevor
Makhoba (1996), Jane Alexander (1995), Sam Nhlengethwa (1994), Pippa Skotnes
(1993), Tommy Motswai (1992), Andries Botha (1991), Fée Halsted-Berning and
Bonnie Ntshalintshali (1990), Helen Sebidi (1989), Margaret Vorster (1988),
William Kentridge (1987), Gavin Younge (1986), Marion Arnold (1985), Peter
Schultz (1984), Malcolm Payne (1983), Neil Rodger (1982), Jules van de Vijver
(1981).
The 55th International Art Exhibition will
take place in Venice from June 1 to November 24, 2013. The title chosen by
Exhibition Director Massimiliano Gioni for the 55th Biennale is Il Palazzo Enciclopedico / The
Encyclopaedic Palace.
The National Arts Festival is sponsored by
Standard Bank, The National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, Eastern Cape
Government, Department of Arts and Culture, City Press and M Net.
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