Boost for E Cape arts and crafts Home of Legends pays homage to EC
VANGUARD designs, handmade crafts and collectors’ items are on full display at the Eastern Cape Hand-Made Collection showcase at the Village Green in Grahamstown.
Nineteen emerging and established fashion designers and art and craft makers from across the Eastern Cape are sharing their creations with collectors from all over the world at their tent stalls for the duration of the festival.
The Eastern Cape is a mecca of arts and crafts, with hundreds of items to touch, feel, see and try on.
Most of the designers are university graduates who are looking for platforms to showcase their talents with the rest of the world.
This is thanks to the partnership between Amathole District Municipality (ADM) and the provincial department of sport, recreation, arts and culture, as well as other relevant stakeholders who came together to create a platform for designers to market their crafts and share their work with consumers at the National Arts Festival. The tent is a daily hub of activity as people flock to view the clothes, accessories, home decor items like reed baskets and clay bowls, homemade leather bags and so much more, with each artist enthusiastically introducing their products to art lovers passing by.
ADM spokesman Siyabulela Makunga said this opportunity was a “culmination of the municipality’s commitment to assist and empower fashion designers and craft makers from all over the province”.
“Through this targeted intervention, ADM hopes to create a conducive environment for our emerging art makers to participate in the mainstream economy.
“This intervention has been a springboard for our art makers, most of whom are otherwise unemployed. They are already enjoying the fruits of this partnership,” Makunga said.
Designers and craft makers told the Dispatch they were grateful for the shop window.
Lulama Mdelelwa, 65, from Port St Johns, said: “I’m enjoying being here. Business has been good and it is a wonderful experience for me.”
Mdelelwa is selling handmade reed baskets and mats and different items made with refurbished wood.
Andiswa Bala-Ntsontsoyi, from Tsomo, has been a fashion designer for more than 10 years. She said: “Being here opens many doors for me and gives me strength to continue with what I do.
“It’s great to hear customers rave about my work.”
Zoe Voyi, from East London, said the platform had opened doors for “more clientele, bigger opportunities and other exhibitions” for her.
Discerning collectors are given a wide array of arts and crafts – from personal adornment all the way to functional household pieces to choose from.
The stall is open every day of the week for the duration of the National Arts Festival. A South African Comedy Story: Tats Nkonzo is Privileged show. Mdantsane-born Nkonzo, whose real name THE Eastern Cape Home of Legends exhibition is on display at the Albany Museum for the duration of the National Arts Festival, showcasing an array of artworks by artists from the province. Emerging and established Eastern Cape artists have been selected to share their silent but powerful medium with art lovers – with an entire floor dedicated to displaying their designs and creations. Ceramics, oil on canvas, mixed media, pen and ink drawings and handmade embroidery are some of the art creations you will find at the exhibition. The creations pay homage to Eastern Cape political, arts, sports and religious stalwarts. The artists also portray the landscape and distinct features unique to the province.
The Dispatch caught up with some of the artists involved in the exhibition.
Johan Trollip from Steytlerville specialises in oil painting. He said: “I am elated to have had the opportunity to exhibit here and share my work with the public. My primary subject matter is portraits which are inspired by the rich culture in the Steytlerville community.”
Ludwe Mgolombane from Mthatha makes sculptures, drawings and mixed-media artworks.
His ceramic designs are also featured in the exhibition. He said he used the human form as his primary subject, with clay as his medium to “portray as best as I can my current surroundings and the current state of affairs in postcolonial South Africa.
“It is always a great opportunity to exhibit at the NAF because it is a great platform. There are people from all over the world here.”
Mafuzandile Solombela from Duncan Village in East London said his love for sculpting cattle and cars using clay started at an early age.
“This opportunity means a lot to me. My work expresses what I am about, and I am happy to be exhibiting my work here. People love my work so much. I look forward to each day spent here.”
The exhibition is open every day from 9am to 5pm for members of the public until the end of the festival.