Wednesday, September 5, 2012
0 041 503 6111
) 525
Fax: 041 503 6220
2 express@media24.com
www.pe-express.co.za
Editor: Bettie Giliomee
Township artists to exhibit in Chicago NCEBA DLADLA
T
wo fine artists from townships in the Bay are preparing for the trip of a lifetime.
Banele Njadayi and Mkhonto Gwazela will be flying off this month to America’s own windy city, Chicago, to showcase their artwork together with over one hundred other pieces from talented Eastern Cape artists. The visit is set to coincide with September’s South African Heritage Month in Chicago. Tradepoint SA Nelson Mandela Bay has been working with Gallery Guichard in Chicago on a project aimed at raising awareness of EC talent among US fine art collectors and galleries. Tradepoint SA hosted a delegation of US art buyers in June this year, holding workshops at the Red Location Museum, the Grahamstown Arts festival, and in Mthatha. Of the 53 artists who attended these workshops, 16 were identified as gallery-ready (i.e. their art work was of a high quality to be displayed and sold to potential art collectors). Art gallery owner and national curator, Andre Guichard of the Gallery Guichard in Chicago said, A total of 151 pieces of art have been commissioned and are currently being packed and air freighted to Chicago in time for an African art exhibition, commencing in Chicago on 19 September. The Eastern Cape art work will be exhibited for two months and it is anticipated that over R1 million will be generated in sales. About 40% of the Chicago population is Afro-American and they are
eager to reconnect with their roots. The attending artists, Banele Njadayi and Mkhonto Gwazela, are thrilled to have been selected to attend this event. They leave Port Elizabeth on 18 September and return on 30 September. Banele Njadayi, a self-taught artist from Walmer Township, is looking forward to the 10-day trip that is meant to change his life for the better. Njadayi thanked Trade Point Company for sponsoring the trip as well as art collectors Andre and Francis Guichard for making the trip a reality. The eRhini born Njadayi’s drawings depict the strong and resilient people of the township. “People who live in shacks are so strong, they don’t even get ill easily. Despite their exposure to poverty and bad weather, they survive.” His Christian religion, the late George Pemba, Gerald Sekoto, Willy Bester and a friend Duncan Steward inspire Njadayi as an artist. He also wants to share his knowledge with the young. “My hope is to see a centre built in the Walmer township to help the youth learn arts. That way they will get out of the grip of crime and drugs by doing something that will help them earn a living.” In the meantime, he invites kids to help him when he paints murals. “They do it themselves while I guide them. At the end of the day I pay them – art pays,” said Njadayi. Fellow artist Mkhonto was equally thrilled: “I am truly honoured to be invited to represent the township art community in Chicago. This is the beginning of a relationship that will establish a US market for our high quality Eastern Cape art, and, if all goes well, this will be the start of a regular trade in art exports from the Eastern Cape.”
MAIN: Banele Nja dayi who will be fly ing to the United States this Sep tember for an arts exhibition, with one of his paint ings. INSERT: Mkhonto Gwazela Photo: NCEBA DLADLA
.
• GROCERIES FREEWAY TOWN TRADUNA MALL • COSMETICS Govan Mbeki, Traduna Mall (Opp. KFC) Tel: 041 582 4384 • HARDWARE SPECIALS VALID FROM 05/09/2012 - 12/09/2012 • CROCKERY We accept SASSA credit cards
While Stocks Last E&OE
COASTAL VIEW MILK 6x1L
PEPSI COOLDRINK 2L
GOLDEN PRIDE RICE 2 kg
SUPERSAVER PILCHARDS 425g
PAMPERS SLEEP & PLAY All Sizes
MAQ 1 kg
R43,99
R9,99
R12,99
R8,99
R79,99
R19,99
SUNSTAR COOKING OIL 2L
GOLDEN CHOICE SUGAR 2,5 kg
RICOFFY 100g
WHITE STAR MAIZE MEAL 2,5 kg
MUGS 2 TONE PLATES Hand Painted
TOILET PAPER 10’s
R26,99
R19,99
R11,99
R12,99
each
R3,99
R12,99 1BQP9HV7G-050912-PX-ckcfe-FREE