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Friday, February 23, 2018

5 X 5 DESIGN



(Prototyping workshop with designer Sadie Bosworth & the African Art Centre beaders)

5 X 5 Design presents a collaborative artistic process between local creatives and African Art Centre crafters.

In December 2017, the African Art Centre invited five Durban creatives to workshop ideas, designs and products with about 35 beaders and telephone wire weavers.  Over the last two and a half months each creative produced five designs which were workshopped with the crafters to produce 25 new contemporary African jewellery pieces.

The creatives: Edgar Sithole, Jane Linley-Thomas, Nikhil and Nindya Tricam, Sadie Bosworth and Ziningi Zulu are proudly Durban artists representing a diverse array of cultures, artistic backgrounds and specialties. 

“The inspiration behind the 5 X 5 Design is to introduce a young fresh perspective on African contemporary art. One of the aims of the African Art Centre is to preserve our culture but culture is not static, it is dynamic and fluid, according to ever-shifting contexts and interpretations. With this in mind, it is an important aim for us to reflect contemporary Africa amongst the Centre’s offerings. The tradition of beading and weaving are strong traditional parts of our culture, and using these elements we have incorporated a varied design approach to present a contemporary look. Every piece created is not just jewellery but art, African art in our present day,” says Magdalene Reddy, Director of the African Art Centre.

The public can enjoy works produced by Alexia Mkhize, Angess Mthembu, Badelisile Mbatha, Bhekinkosi Nkwanyana, Busisiwe Mayise, Dumsile Mathe, Eunice Majola, Happiness Dladla, Ignatia Bhengu, Jabu Gcaba, Jabulani Mkhize, Lindiwe Maphanga, Maca Majola, Maningi Mbonambi, Mbaliyethu Mabuza, Nelisiwe Kleinbooi, Nobuhle Maphumulo, Nokuthula Gwala, Nomusa Biyela, Nonhlanhla Mbatha, Nqobile Jeza, Ntombi Mbambo, Ntombifuthi Maphumulo, Ntombizonke Hlambisa, Phumlani Mbhele, Phumzile Shozi, Roslinhah Khanyile, Scelo Mhlongo, Sizani Mkhize, Thembeka Methembu, Thembinkosi Maphumulo, Tholani Mchunu, Zenzomuhle Mbhele, and Zinhle Ngcobo.

The 5 x 5 Design will be launched at the African Art Centre on March 1 at 18h00 as part of Station Drive’s First Thursdays activation. The exhibition is funded by the National Lotteries Commission and the National Arts Council of South Africa.

For more details contact the African Art Centre at 15 Station Drive in Durban on 031 312 3804/5, email africanartcentre@afri-art.co.za or go to www.afriart.org.za