Africa

Esther Maglangu is a Ndebele artist who has progressed from decorating houses to commissions such as the BMW car you can see in the video below. It’s an interesting case for thinking about ways in which the rural-based crafter might develop other opportunities. Is she selling out in creating an object that is never likely to be found in the place she comes from?

Based on the Triangle Arts Trust, Tupelo Cape Town are staging a workshop that brings together artists and craftspersons 1-15 December 2007.

We invite established visual artists and crafters who would like to extend their skills, exchange ideas and techniques to apply to work in this dynamic, stimulating two week workshop where discussion and interaction between artists and crafters will be encouraged and debated. Applications in all medium will be accepted and arrangements for equipment and materials can be discussed if the application is successful. Crafters will be encouraged to bring their own machines and tools.

There isn’t much information about the rationale for the workshop, but it would be interesting to see what emerges and compare it to what happens in Soweto. More information here.

With the Johannesburg gathering impending, it’s worth reflecting on the changes currently happening to Soweto. Here’s an article about the opening of a new shopping mall that will supposedly bring new economic opportunity to the township.  

The program for the gathering is now online here.