A new space for creatives to nurture ideas
WHILE digital platforms have hugely widened the space for writers, artists and musicians, Durban will soon have a new physical space where local creatives can share ideas.
This is according to photographer Niamh Walsh-Vorster from online publication Ja.magazine who has partnered with the ID Green Camp Gallery Project. The partnership will be holding their opening day next Saturday, April 8, to raise funds for the physical space, which is under construction.
Walsh-Vorster said the event would feature writing and poetry workshops, as well as a live painting session with artist Kev Seven.
Organic veggies and food will also be on sale along with vintage clothing and books to read, buy and exchange.
The Independent on Saturday spoke to these now generation creatives, who are driven by current affairs and pressing social challenges that are giving rise to new trends and concepts in the world of writing and art, with digital media platforms also playing a major role.
Describing herself as a “huge fan of guerrilla and street art”, Walsh-Vorster said: “There is a huge misconception about my generation (1990 born-frees) that they are apathetic about issues, particularly issues in South Africa.
“Many articles published by young writers question and confront deep wounds in our society. This includes the exploration of what it means to be South African, discussing race, challenging the notion of the rainbow nation, fighting sexism and rape culture. We are a fiery bunch.”
She said that by making a piece of art, “we are creating an archive of testimonies and memory-making” which can help with reflection in the years ahead.
Graffiti artist Kevin Ngwenya, aka Kev Seven, said “art and creativity is what pushes everything forward”.
He said freedom allowed people of his generation to take control of their own destinies and express what they felt to be right.
“Such freedoms to express, engage, participate and achieve one’s own destiny in this manner, through vehicles of art, are not always encouraged by society.”
Ngwenya said that, with the explosion of the digital age, “it’s almost harder nowadays to be 100% original with so much out there being hyper shared, borrowed, stolen and recycled every moment. It’s more about everybody having access to doing anything their minds can conceive now, and being innovative with what’s around you”.
Poet Sihle Ntuli, who will be hosting a workshop at the event, said the new generation of artists was “genuinely concerned with current affairs, focusing mainly on the inequalities still present in the country”.
Using life in Durban, particularly KwaMashu, as his inspiration, Ntuli said he would like his work to “make the invisible visible, and have everyone take notice of shortcomings swept under the carpet. Hopefully this will achieve an awareness of how some things are just not right.”
Meanwhile, writer and poet Isabel Rawlins will also be hosting a writing workshop at the event.
Rawlins, who has a Master’s degree in creative writing, said: “I think this generation of writers and artists are operating in quite a different space to 15 years ago. Publishing has become a lot more accessible and the internet has widened the platform for many writers.
“Burgeoning writers and artists seem to be conscious of, and reactive to, politics, issues of gender, sexuality and identity and the glaring inequalities that persist in South Africa… I think it’s really important to make room for new voices and to nurture young artists,” she added.
The opening day for the new creative space takes place at the Green Camp Gallery Project, 246 Umbilo Road, and will include a music line-up from noon until late, including an open mic session, with art and writing workshops starting at 11am.