To celebrate the
art of indigenous needlework – called ‘ukutunga’ in Zulu, the South African
Post Office has released a miniature sheet with one stamp and a commemorative
envelope.
A miniature sheet
(an A5-sized design with a perforated stamp in it) costs R22,80 and a
commemorative envelope R25,80. The items are available from all post offices or
sastamps@postoffice.co.za
Artists involved in
creating the designs include Thandi Sithole, Goodness Basolivumeleni and Phiwan
Ngubani. It is interesting to note that Goodness always included the internal
organs, even the teeth of the animals in her designs. Some animals were shown pregnant
with a clearly visible embryo.
The panel on the
commemorative envelope depicts a black rhino (Bhejane in isiZulu) pregnant with
new life. She is browsing in an enchanted forest where all the elements are
brought together - the sun, a rainbow, stars and flowering indigenous bush.
Behind her is the symbol for an amonite, part of South Africa’s ancient
history. The design on the canceller is one of the five original designs done
by Goodness Basolivumeleni in 2003. The isiZulu words used in the designs are
ilanga (the sun), indlovu (elephant), ihlahla (tree) and lihle ihlahla (a
beautiful tree).
The artists are all
affiliated to the Tunga Embroydery Studio in Hluhluwe, KwaZulu-Natal.
In 2003, the
striking pieces of embroidery created by Goodness Basolivumeleni came to the
attention of Beulah Meintjes, who recognised the work as an artform created by
a true artist. This inspired Meintjes, who learned to appreciate the beauty of
embroidery from her mother who was a talented needlework artist, to start Tunga
Embroidery Studio. Tunga, which means needlework in isiZulu, provided Goodness
with the opportunity to nurture her artistic talent for fine embroidery.
With Goodness Basolivumeleni
as its anchor artist, the news about Tunga Studio started spreading, prompting
more and more undiscovered embroidery artists to join them. The studio has
since grown into a haven for 30 artists, many of whom are sole providers for
their families.
Through Tunga, the
women are made aware of the value of their creative talents. They are taught to
translate the traditional and practical skill of embroidery into vibrant,
contemporary art, producing needlework of meticulous quality, explains Meintjes.
“Their inspiration is drawn from Africa’s animals, birds, insects and plants.”
Goodness Basolivumeleni
passed away in December 2005, but her memory lives on in the creativity of this
group of artists.
The artists’
dedication to deliver beautifully embroidered works of art, has led to their
products making its way to the national, as well as international marketplace.
Artists affiliated
to Tunga Studio are commissioned to embroider products in the studio’s product
range. Each artist is equipped with an embroidery ring, a pair of embroidery
scissors, a selection of embroidery thread, and fabric. They work at their own
pace at home and are paid at the end of every month for each item delivered
during the month. The income from the products is used to pay the artists, as
well as to purchase materials, market the Tunga brand, and establish a network
of support for the artists.
In 2006, The
African Millenium Foundation curated an art exhibition at the OXO Gallery in
London, titled Best of African Design. Tunga exhibited 20 embroidered umbrellas
all of which were sold. In the same year, Tunga also exhibited their products
at the KZNSA FNB Craft Now exhibition where the artist Nelisiwe Nxumalo was
awarded the New Signature prize.
Tunga is located in Hluhluwe, KwaZulu-Natal. For more
information contact Beulah Meintjes
on 082 457 5536 or 035 562 0467, fax 035 562 0345 or email: tunga.africa@gmail.com or visit http://www.tunga.co.za
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