(NUNN1: by Cedric
Nunn)
Mzala Nxumalo Centre presents Crossroads...
Omar Badsha; Cedric Nunn and Rafs Mayet featured in The Art of Activism, a joint exhibition and public dialogue as part
of the Mzala Week of events.
The opening event of Mzala Week – themed Crossroads – on June 11 from 17h30 to 20h00 is a photographic
exhibition and public discussion at the Durban Art Gallery entitled The Art of Activism featuring works of
three of the country’s most respected photographers and social commentators:
Omar Badsha, Cedric Nunn and Rafs Mayet.
The Mzala Nxumalo Centre for the Study of South African Society (MNC) is
hosting a series of events for their annual Mzala Week taking place from June 11
until June 16, with events taking place in Durban, Pietermaritzburg and
Johannesburg.
As part of the opening session, Badsha; Nunn and Mayet will consider the
role of “Art of Activism” in which they will be examining, analysing and
unpacking the role of visual arts in disrupting societal narratives and
mobilising social change and the changing role of the arts in our current
context in South Africa. Mario Pissarra, artist, academic, curator, writer,
editor and founder of SA Art Initiative, will open the exhibition and lead the
dialogue.
A self-taught, award winning artist and photographer. Badsha played an
active role in the South African liberation struggle, as a cultural and
political activist and trade union leader. He is the author and co-author of
six books and since the mid 60s curated numerous exhibitions. His paintings and
photographs have been exhibited locally and globally since 1965 and his works
can be found in major public collections across South Africa and in leading
galleries and institutions abroad. He is regarded by many as one of the leading
and most influential anti-apartheid cultural activists, artists and documentary
photographers in the country. He is the recipient of a number of awards for
painting, arts, photographer and historian.
Similarly, Nunn inhabits a similar space in the annals of South Africa’s
archives: “I am committed through my photographs, to contributing to societal
change that will leave a positive legacy for the children of Africa,” he
explains. He began photography in Durban in the early 80s, his initial impetus
being to document the realities of apartheid that he thought were being ignored
by the mainstream media. He moved to Johannesburg and joined the Afrapix
collective and agency working largely with NGO’s, his focus throughout has been
on documenting social change, and in particular rural issues. He continued to
work independently after the demise of Afrapix in the early 90s. Extensive work
experience was gained in media such as newspapers, wire agencies, magazines,
public relation companies through to corporate, and he has exhibited
extensively, both locally and abroad, and conducted a myriad photography
education projects.
Fellow Afrapix photographer Mayet was taught the basics of photography
by Badsha in the early 80s and he started working at the Daily Dispatch in East
London and later at the New African in Durban and as a member of the Afrapix
collective. He has since participated in a number of exhibitions. He worked for
the Independent Electoral Commission during the first democratic elections in
1994, some of these pictures were published in a book called An end to waiting. He has also done an
essay on Working Women for the Worker's College in 1995, which is still being
used at union meetings and conferences. Mayet is still living and working in
Durban and continues with his ongoing documentation of contemporary jazz
musicians, whilst learning more about archival printing processes.
Entry to the opening of the exhibition is free and all are welcome to
the opening and public dialogue. The exhibition will be on display in the
Circular Gallery for two weeks.
Juxtaposed against the historical narrative by Badsha, Nunn and Mayet
will be contemporary works of post-apartheid era, where young artists from the
Amasosha Art Movement will exhibit their works which will focus the
consciousness to pierce the veil of complacency that has set in and which has
brought us to the Crossroads – the theme of this Mzala Commemoration Week. Amasosha
Art Movement is a dynamic collective of 17 artists from Durban and surrounding
areas. The word 'Amasosha' is an isiZulu loanword derived from the English word
'soldiers'. Quite clearly, the idea was to evoke qualities found in soldiers
such as self-reliance, hard work, bravery, unity and front-line combat, amongst
others. In a way evoking some sense of being on a mission. It is on these
values that Amasosha Art Movement was founded. This movement is emerging as a
critical vehicle in the exploration, interrogation and collaboration of ideas.
All this is possible because of the multi-discipline composition of the
collective. Over time it became apparent that working space is needed. Through
support from various interested individuals and entities, Amasosha were able to
move to Ikomkhulu Art Space. This is where ideas are worked, literally. It is
also at this space that Amasosha have been hosting exhibitions, film screenings and some
performances, every Friday
For more information call 033 264 0262 /
derek.buchler@mzalacentre.org.za
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