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| DAC, Department of international relations Director Ruphus Matibe and !Kauru Director Tshepiso Mohlala. |
As the !Kauru African
Contemporary art exhibition draws to a close, we would
like to acknowledge the role of the DAC as a key sponsor of the !Kauru initiative.
The
!Kauru African Contemporary Art Exhibition opened on the 22nd of May
at the UNISA Art Gallery, to positive audiences. The !Kauru project has already
brought together Africa in 2014 through a variety of events, stimulating
conversation between international artists, dignitaries, embassies, academics,
arts professionals and the Department of Arts and Culture. Events which took
included an artist’s meet & greet evening hosted by the French Ambassador
Elisabeth Barbier, the official exhibition opening at the UNISA Art gallery, an
Artists Walkabout and a stimulating Round Table discussion, a youth day
celebration and a community outreach programme.
As the
!Kauru African Contemporary Art Project’s primary sponsor, the Department of
Arts and Culture’s international Relations Department has provided solid
support. The aims and vision of the
!Kauru project align with those of the Department of Arts and Culture’s (DAC),
Department of International Relations. To quote their website, “ The DAC’s
vision is for arts, culture and heritage to contribute to sustainable economic
development, through partnerships for a socially cohesive nation .”
The visions
of both DAC are closely aligned to !Kauru’s project vision, which is to provide a platform for African contemporary artists and cultural
practitioners through which they may engage with each other around a showcase
of contemporary art, created in and inspired by the continent; a continent with
a rich cultural heritage and many creative and innovative artists. Its ultimate aim is to incorporate all the
regions of Africa over the lifespan of the project. The project promotes the visual arts as a viable career choice, and
showcases the innovative and significant contemporary artistic voices of
Africa.
!Kauru
director Tshepiso Mohlala says that “Director of the DAC, Department of
International Relations Ruphus Matibe, has supported the vision of the project
since 2013 and played an important role in the growth and development of the
project”. When addressing the guests at the !Kauru artists meet and greet,
Louise Graham his colleague from the DAC Department of International Relations,
spoke about how “!Kauru
has created new opportunities as well links to the South African art market for
the participating artists from the African continent”. The project thanks the
DAC and all of its representatives for recognising its vision and providing
support to grow this initiative.
GALLERY
TIMES
UNISA
GALLERY
10am – 4pm
Mondays - Fridays.
Note: The gallery is not open on weekends.