(Crawford Mandumbwa.
Pic by Thalante Khomo)
Watch 18 artists from around the world collaborate to make art together
in the Midlands.
Self-directed education through interactive creative practice, exchange
of ideas and skills will mark the two-week-long Thupelo International Workshop
currently being held at the beautiful Kings School in Nottingham Road.
This workshop includes 18 artists from five different countries giving
them the opportunity to work together in various disciplines.
This initiative of the Cape Town-based Greatmore Studios runs until April
12, culminating in a public open day on April 13 from 10h00 until 15h00 during
which time the work will be on display for public viewing and audience
engagement.
(Anushka Kempken. Pic
by Thalante Khomo)
The organisers received an astonishing response from close to 80 art
makers from all over the world wanting to be considered for one of the 20
spaces to benefit from this opportunity. The multi-lingual, multi-cultural
participants will be working and living on campus at King’s School for the
duration of the residency.
“The idea behind the workshop’s ethos is about creating space for making
art without the pressures of structured conventions often accompanying the so-called
‘mainstream’ institutions and is open to self-motivated visual artists who are
keen to expand their ideas, exchange knowledge and experiment in fellowship
with other artists. This also encourages a space for sharing skills and ideas
in an innovative environment where artists feel safe to experiment and learn
from one another. Since 1985, each workshop, regional or international, has had
its own identity which unfolds as the workshop progresses. Because the material
budget is often quite low, sharing and the use of found objects or donated
materials is encouraged,” explains Witty Nyide co-ordinator for both regional
and international KZN-based Thupelo workshops.
Thupelo, which is Se Sotho phrase meaning ‘to teach by example’, was
initiated in 1985 in Johannesburg by David Koloane, together with the late Bill
Ainslie and a group of artists. Both regional and international Thupelo
workshops were initiated in response to a need for interaction between artists
and are therefore artists-led. It is part of the international Triangle network
of studio and workshop initiatives. Durban has hosted a regional workshop last
December and is hosting an international version this April in the beautiful
KZN Midlands.
(Nkcubeko Balani. Pic
by Thalante Khomo)
Participants are: Anushka Kempken (Johannesburg); Crawford
Mandumbwa (Zambia); Danisile Ncube (Zimbabwe);
Khaya Sineyile (Cape Town); Lara Vlaska (Germany); Mat Li (Madagascar); Ncumisa
Mcitwa (Durban); Nkcubeko Balani (Grahamstown); Nomusa Mtshali (Durban); Owen
Shikabeta (Zambia); Selloane Moeti (Durban); Tahina Rakotoarivony (Madagascar);
Vanessa Chen (Cape Town); Thalente Khomo (Durban); Clive Sithole (Durban);
Thami Jali (Durban); Anthony Cawood (CT) and Witty Nyide (Pretoria).
The workshop culminates with an open day where the public can experience
the visual conversations created during the retreat, and this will open to
public viewing on April 13, from 10h00 until 15h00. Entry is free and all are
welcome.
If there is demand for a bus to take people from Durban to Midlands and
home again for the morning, one can be organised for a nominal fee. Should anyone
be keen to take arranged transport – please contact Witty Nyide on 076 333
3671.
Posts
