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Tuesday, April 6, 2021

CURATE.A.SPACE AT THE 2021 FIESTA AWARDS

(Right: Carol Brown)

Curate.A.Space was founded by Durban-based arts curator, Carol Brown.

Curate.A.Space in partnership with the University of Free State Stegmann Art Gallery was recently given the honour of being nominated in the 11th kykNET Fiƫstas Awards, which were broadcast on March 7, 2021, for the category Best Achievement in Visual Arts.

This is an awards ceremony hosted by the kykNet channel on DSTV which annually honours exceptional work presented at arts festivals across the country during the previous year. In 2020, the arts were under enormous pressure because of the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the festival circuit.

Folds and Faults highlights women artists and particularly a second generation of young female artists whose mothers were part of the era where the historic 1956 Women’s March in Pretoria chanted the song Wathint’ Abafazi, Wathint’ Imbokodo -You strike the woman you strike the rock.

“Looking back to those dark years of apartheid we remember how black women were disenfranchised and disempowered. There were very few black female artists and the protest art being made at the time was mostly by men. The women were the caregivers who looked after domestic issues and were the nurturers of the future generations whose work is now featured in this exhibition. The theme of folds has many layers – as a fold itself implies,” say the organisers.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Vrystaat Arts Festival could not be physically hosted in 2020 as planned. And like many art practitioners, the organisers had to adapt and put together a digital show, as a preview  on the UFS Art Gallery Instagram social media platform.

“We look forward to the physical show at the Stegmann Gallery later this year,” they add. “In a time where almost all seems uncertain and dire, it is an honor to receive recognition for excellence. We thank and salute all our participating artists and partners”.

For more information visit https://www.curateaspace.com/