(Phumlani Madela from uMlazi shows
off some of the decorations he and other crafters have made for exhibition. Pic
by Sharlene Versfeld)
The much-anticipated annual Christmas Exhibition showcasing
the handmade beadwork, embroidery, telephone wire, clay and wood decorations is
now running at the African Art Centre.
This exhibition fulfills the Centre’s mission to facilitate
innovative products through creative skills development initiatives which
enable local crafters to generate sustainable income through their art. The
African Art Centre development projects enhance the existing skills of crafters
residing in urban, peri-urban and rural KwaZulu-Natal communities, and bring to
public attention the wares of new emerging talent.
This year the Centre presents exciting new work by young
creatives currently being trained through its outreach Velobala Jewellery
Design classes. Weaving in telephone wire for the first time, Wonder Msane,
Phumlani Mbhele and Phumlani Madela have produced a range of ornaments in the formation
of stars, hearts and angels executed in specified colour combinations.
“We are thrilled to see young people absorb new skills so
creatively!,” says assistant director, Nozipho Zulu.
The telephone wire decorations will be available alongside
the beaded, embroidered and wood decorations produced by well-known African Art
Centre crafters: Happiness Dladla, Dumsile Mathe, Thokozane Mathe, Agnes
Mthembu, Mavis Jali, Augnatia Khanyile, Tholani Mchunu, Hlengiwe Mbhele,
Mbaliyethu Mabuza, Ntokozo Mseleku, Mbaliyethu Mabuza and Sbusiso Maphumulo. A
wide range of products has resulted through a series of workshops facilitated
by Leonie Malherbe, Busi Shinga and Nozipho Zulu.
A novel feature at this year’s exhibition are uniquely
African-designed beach towels, the result of a partnership between Mr Price
Home and four African Art Centre artists, Sibusiso Duma, Nonotobeko Jilajila, Mbali
Mabuza and Timothy Mlambo. The beach towels represent the varied skills of the
artists; Timothy is the woodcarver and creates wonderful mythical creatures,
Sibusiso produces intricate paintings done in the pointillism style, Nonotobeko
creates wonderful linocut prints and Mbali is a deft hand at applique
embroidery.
Early this year, Mr Price Home hosted a workshop with the
artists and a Mr Price Home designer. The artists produced their artworks which
were adapted by the designer to suit the manufacturing restrictions of towel
weaving.
“Championing great design is important to us; it is who we
are and what we do at MRP Home. This Colab under the auspices of our “Design
doing Good’ programme, will see a portion of the proceeds from the sale of every
beach towel, being donated back to the African Art Centre in order to
facilitate emerging artist development,” says Mr Price Home Merchandise
Director, Yanni Vosloo. This new range will be in Mr Price Home stores from November
12.
The African Art Centre Christmas Exhibition runs until December
24 at the centre at 94 Florida Road Morningside, Durban. For more information
contact 031 303 4634 or visit http://afriart.org.za/
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