Wildlife to rock Cradle Contemporary Art Fair

ART, wildlife, charity and the finest cuisines and beverages will take centre stage at a fair this festive season.

There will be something for everybody at the inaugural four-day Cradle Contemporary Art Fair at the Cradle of Humankind at the end of the month.

But the major feature will the artwork on display from four acclaimed local artists.

John Moore’s conceptual wildlife pieces, which advocate for the conservation of endangered species, are expected to headline the event.

He has gained recognition for his detailed and realistic depictions of wildlife and his emotive take on the plight of endangered species in South Africa.

“His style contains elements of surrealism and traditional naturalism, which merge into thoughtful reflections of our age,” said curator Nikki Wilsworth.

The work of Swazi sculptor Acun Masuku, who is acclaimed for his inventive anthropomorphic mobiles, will also be featured at the fair.

Karin Dempsey Greenwood, whose naive expressionist art glows with vibrant colours depicting whimsical scenes, will also exhibit, alongside Manyatsa Monyamane, whose cutting-edge photography has seen her win several awards.

Works from all four artists will be on display and for sale.

The proceeds will go to the African Digital Education Trust, a non-profit organisation which aims to give children accessible education by using technology and robotics to improve their early childhood development.

The Cradle Boutique Hotel, where the fair will be held, will also open a new permanent space – the Cradle Art Gallery – during the exhibition.

While art enthusiasts view the pieces on display, they will be entertained by the sounds of Pilani Bubu, a local singer/songwriter and creative lifestyle activist.

“The title of the opening exhibition is Giving It Horns Wings, which relates to all the artists’ work, whether literally or figuratively, in the context of what they have produced,” said Wilsworth.

“These are artists taking their work outside of the envelope and developing uniqueness.”

To celebrate both the inaugural art fair and new art gallery, the Cradle Boutique Hotel will also organise a host of events when the fair takes place between November 30 and December 3.

These include a cocktail party where a choir and dancers will perform, a craft beer-pairing dinner, a fourcourse wine-pairing dinner, a picnic and live music from the Cameron Bruce Band, as well as a gourmet shisa nyama.

Families who attend on Saturday and Sunday can book their children into the Cradle Explorers’ Club, which will have trained guides to take them on a twohour nature walk.

For more information, call 087 353 9599 or email: gm@thecradle.co.za