(“Sipho
and chicken” - oil on canvas by Jabulani Cele)
Since its inception in 1959, the African
Art Centre non-profit organisation has committed itself to providing a
supportive environment for black artists and crafters from KwaZulu-Natal. Prior
to 1994, formal art education was inaccessible to black South Africans and black
artists very rarely participated in the visual arts of the country.
Many individuals in South Africa were
determined to change the situation. One such person was the late Jo Thorpe who
for the first three decades of the existence of the African Art Centre
virtually single-handedly put Durban on the map as an important centre of black
artistic development. As a result of the efforts made by the Centre, hundreds
of artists have been directed towards financial empowerment, self-sustainability
and prominence. Many African Art Centre
artists have gone as far as achieving international acclaim, including Azaria
Mbatha, Tito Zungu, Gabisile Nkosi, William Zulu, Trevor Makhoba and Reuben
Ndwandwe.
“Today, the African Art Centre continues to
work with some of the most economically disadvantaged artists, who have limited
access to capital and resources and who have had no formal art education,” says
AAC director, Sharon Crampton. “Our interventions assist these individuals in maturing and progressing
to a point where they are able to produce high quality, innovative artworks on an ongoing basis. In addition, we professionally showcase and promote the work and assist them to tap into domestic
and international markets.”
Jabulani Cele, was born in KwaMashu in
1981. He is an active young upcoming artist who works mainly in the medium of
painting. His subject matter is concerned with his immediate surroundings and
township lifestyles. A self -taught artist, Jabulani’s artistic talent was
recognized whilst he was a pupil at the Mzuvele High School in KwaMashu. In
Grade 11, he entered a Sasko Sam Bread competition and was awarded second
prize. Since matriculating he has continued to participate in art development
projects in his community and in Durban.
His creativity was awarded in 2004 when his
was invited to work with the Mark Galleries at Ushaka Marine World and Art
Consultants in Gateway. These accomplishments enabled him to acquire a great
deal of experience in the field of art making. He has executed a number of
murals in the inner city of Durban and in 2009 produced a painting for Chief
Albert Luthuli. He has been working with the African Art Centre since 2010 and
regularly participates in workshops and in group exhibitions hosted at the Centre.
His work is represented in a number of private collections and at the Moses
Mabhida Stadium.
For more information contact the Director,
Sharon Crampton, on 031 312 3805
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