WE THE CREATORS JEWELSEED CLAY
RESIDENCY
Introduction In September 2017, VSCO created and introduced the preset WE. We have taken the liberty to use this resource to continue the conversation on how creative expression impacts the creators’ lives and identities. Through the use of photojournalism taking an interest specifically at the subject through self-portraiture.
"We believe that creative expression is a powerful vehicle for genuine connection not just with others, but with ourselves – our unique thoughts, feelings, and life experiences." – VSCO
J C J E W E L S E E D C L A Y
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Jewelseed Colour Me Happy.
True expression is inspired by deep emotional observations, conversations and feelings an artist is experiencing or might have experienced in the past. The significance of these culminating thoughts then become an artwork, a tangible form of expression. Nonhle Maboee is a crafter of things, working with her hands to bring material to life. Her love for design and art saw her studying Jewelry Design and Manufacturing at the University of Johannesburg. After finishing her studies, she completed a few post-graduate courses, one as an apprentice for a small jewelry company in Durban, and later a computer-aided design program at Design@50. After focusing on fine jewelry using precious stones and metals, the CAD program opened her eyes to exploring other mediums, materials and designs which led to the making of handbags as her final project.
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“I decided to not pursue the handbag direction as yet to explore resin and polymer clay jewelry. That decision led to me starting Jewelseed Clay which is a sister brand to Jewelseed Jewelry which specialises in precious metals and stones” Jewelweed pieces are bold, sometimes shy which represent Nonhle’s most genuine nature. “The ongoing inquisitions about life and inspiration are always on my mind, which then influences my designs”. I am also inspired by other forms of expression, fashion and music being top of the list, but my overwhelming love for handcrafting allows for my obsession of attention to detail”.
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Art can often go un-noticed, with life pulling us in all directions we hardly get a moment to catch our breath and appreciate what is right in front of our eyes. If our past is a recollection of our past experiences and all our experiences stem from that, we can safely assume that it is our life’s experiences that inform our expression. Our immediate environment becomes our first source of influence and inspiration. “My constant reference to cows is derived from my father. Growing up in a township and surrounding areas that had a lot of cows, my father would drive slowly past them (he still does this till this day) and admire their nature. I then found myself loving them too, and as a designer more especially the cow print which I reference a lot in many of my designs.” If Art imitates life, we can see how important is it that we harbour and savour the sense of it, because we start by living life before we create art. Taking care of our emotional well-being and maturity keeps one accountable for creating positive art that imitates life.
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Go! Go! Hano-maan
Jack of All Trades!
The term 'Jack of All Trades Master of None', is usually used to describe peoplewho can express themselves in multiply disciplines. Unfortunately, this term can be perceived as an undesirable skill to have with the conventional choice to keep the main thing, the main focus. Affectionately known to us as Hano-maan, Hano is a jack of all trades, literary! A former Visual Arts learner at Port Shepstone High School and now pursuing a graphic design degree at North-West University, the kid is on his way to mastery, having his finger on all things popular culture in the South Coast. My job as an Art Assistant at Port Shepstone High School allows me to see the potential at its infancy. Some talents can follow through and kick flip them -selves to the next level of creativity, that is exactly what Hano does, he continues to kick and push him -self to the next level while learning new skills to add to his arsenal. Did I mentionthat the man is a budding skater too? Like I said, Jack of All Trades.
‘We The Creators” is an emotive pictorial journal series that focuses on inclusion of artists from different disciplines and backgrounds, “No matter our first name, our last name, our skin colour, our love, or our prayer, we are creators”- VSCO. The decision to work with Hano stems from these sentiments, his ability to interpret a brief while balancing that with his own expression, this is portrayed hin an intrusive and subtle way. Photography is more than taking a picture, it is capturing an emotion that is frozen in time. If he’s not in his home studio (bedroom) editing skate videos or working on @h_scholtz_portfolio he’s painting commissions, or on the streets doing backflips on his skateboard. Follow the young tricks master on social media to be on the loop on what’s up his sleeve next.
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FOLLOW JEWEELSEED CLAY
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Jewelseed
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Residency The Founders.
Residency Creative Studio is a creative agency founded by Mongezi Langa and Sizwe Blacktopp Zulu. The company focuses on design, content and hstrategy. "I would say at the core of our operations we are driven by visual communication followed by the focus of developing across-disciplines, empathy and storytelling." This emphasises just how important thoughtful communication is as part a designer's arsenal. “We invite you to join us as we connect with our true selves through the process of creation. A process that encourages self-discovery. A process that sets us apart – and brings us together.”
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Find Out More thersdncy
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The Residency
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Credits Photography
Hano Scholtz
Words
Mongezi Langa Nonhle Maboee Sizwe Zulu VSCO
Subjects
Hano Scholtz Mongezi Langa Nonhle Maboee (Jewelseed Clay) Sizwe Zulu
Design
Sizwe Zulu
Editor
Mongezi Langa
Image Editing
Sizwe Zulu
Presets
VSCO Krohchet Kids I, II
We edited all the images using Krochet Kids I & II. A warm and vivid, preset pack that is perfect for portrait shots or outdoor photography.
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J C J E W E L S E E D C L A Y